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THE 

BRITISH CLASSICS: 

TOLUME THE FIFTY-ITINTH. 

COMTl.IMINa TBB 

FIFTEENTH VOLUME 

SWIFT'S WORKS. 



1813. 



TH£ 



WORKS 



-T> 



OF THB 



BEV. JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D. 

VEAN OF ST. Patrick's^ Dublin. 

ARftANGSD BT 

THOMAS SHERIDAN, A. M. 

wiTir 
KOTES, HISTORICAL Ain> CRITICAL. 



1 NEW XDITION, IK nnCNT7»F0UB YOLUIOUi. 

COBBICTIO AND KXVI8XO 

BT JOHN NICHOLS, F. J. S. 

EDINBVROITAin) FERTH. 



VOLUME XV. 



• 



fVBLISHED BT iriLLIiJtl^:6li}:ijANtX CO. 

J 8 I'm. ^ I . ' I ■• / ' 



CONTENTS 



OF 



THE FIFTEENTH VOLUME. 



LITTBKf. 

To the Rer. John Kendall, -- 1 

To the Athenian Society, ....... 4 

To Mr. WilUam Swift, 

To Mr. Deane Swift, 7 

To Sir William Temple, » 

ToVarina, . - . .^ H 

To Mrs. Jane Swift, 17 

To the Rev. Mr. Winder, 19 

Mrs. Jane Swift to Mr. Deane Swift, - - - - - 22 
To Miss Jane Waryng, --......-23 

To Dr. King, Bishop of Derry SB 

To the Rev. Dr. TisdaU, ib. 

To the same, --.----.-..31 
To the same, --.....-..35 

To Archbishop King, 38 

From the Earl of Berkeley, ......*. 41 

To Archbishop Kiig, ' 42 

To the same, ..........44 

From Mr. Addison, - .......48 

To Dr. Sterne, -~-.--..,--47 
To the same, --.--.----49 

To Archbishop King, .......«jjq 

From Anthony Henley, Esq. ..-.-..jj^ 
From the same, ...-.•..«.^ 

To Archbishop King, -.......^ij 

From Archbishop King, ^.---...59 
To the Lord Frimate, - - «2 



vi CONTENTS. 

To0euiSCcne, ^ 

ToArchbidiopKiDg, 68 

To Mr. HoDter, - ' - . . ^ - 60 

¥nm Arehbiflfaop King, --..-. 72 

Mr. le Oerk to Mr. AddiiQBf 7B 

From Archbidiop Kin^^, ----- 77 

To Mr. Hunter, TO 

To the Lord Primate Mardi, 82 

To Archbishop Kins, - * - - - - 83 

From Mr. AddisoD, - 86 

From the Mme, .-..---ib. 
Fromtibeamie, .....••mr 

FramEarioTHalifia, ib. 

From Mr. Steele, 88 

From Mr. Addison, ...... 99 

To Dean Sterne, 90 

Swift*! Account of his Mother*! deatk, - - - 82 

From Mr. Addiaoo, ...... 93 

From Sir Andrew Foontaine, ----- 94 

F^rom Mr. Henley, ------ ib. 

To Mr. Benjamin Tooke, - -- - - ' .^ 

Mr. Tooke an aaiwer, .---.. 101 

From Mr. Addison, - - - - - . - 102 

Irish Bishops to the Bishop of Ossory and KiUakiey - - 108 

To Archbishop King, 104 

From Archtnshop Kiag^ ...... 107 

To Dean Sterne, • - . - - - - 100 

A Memorial to Mr. Harley, - • - - - 111 

To ArcUnshop Kins, 114 

From Archbishop King, - - - - ... 119 

IVom Lord Primate Marsh and Archbishop KinCt - - 120 

From Archbishop King, ...... 121 

To Archbishop King, 122 

From Archbishop King, .----- 124 

To Archbishop King, - 125 

To the same, ..-.--. 127 

From Archbishop King, - - - - - - 131 

From the same, - - - - - - - 133 

To Archbishop King, 134 

TothesaoM, 130 

From Mr. Secretary St. J<^, 140 

The Answer, ...«.-. ib. 

From Archbishop King, - . - - . . 141 
From the same, -------143 

TotheEarlofPeterborow, .... - 144 

From Mr. Nelson, - - •» - •■ - 144 



0ONT£IfTS. rii 

1*9 Arebbidiop King, - - •> -147 

Wtom Archbiflhop Kmg^ . . ^ . , . |jp 

mrom Lord Peterborow, --.-•.. 152 

To Archbisbop King, - « ^ - -> • - 154 

From Archbishop King, -«•«.. 1^ 

To Lord Peterborow, - - - . « - - 158 

To Archbishop King, - - - v . « f 02 

To Mr. Secretary 8t> John, - - - • - 105 

Wrom Archbishop King, - » ••- -t . . 160 

From Lord Peterborow, •>•>•--. iio 

To Archbishop King^ ---•*-- ITS 

From Archbishop King, --.-.. 175 

CVom the tame, •-<"«•-..• 178 

To the Archbithop, <* & - - . - 180 
To the same, -------184 

TothflTsame, ..« . « . -180 

From the same, - - >. ^ . . .. |g| 

To Dr. Francis Atterbtny, . . . ^ . igg 

To Archbishop King, . ^ . .. ^ . |^ 

From the same, •> - ^ - /> . . 200 

ftmn the same, -•-•>... 204 

From the same, ------- ib. 

From the same, - . ^ . . . . 20O 

FVonMr. Secretary St John, ----- 200 

From the same, --...... 210 

From Mrs. Long, - - * - - - ib. 

Mr. Shower to the Lord High Treasurer Oxford, " - 212 

Lord Oxford's Answer, . - . . ^ . 213 

On Mrs. Long's death, - v. ... . 215 

To Dr. Sterne, ..-.-.. 217 

To Archbishop King, ..... ^ 221 

From Dr. Sacheverell, ..... 4. 225 

To Archbishop King, ....... 220 

To the same, ...... ^ 228 

To Mrs. Hill, * 231 

To (General Hill, . • ^ . . . 232 

Lord Bolingbroke to Mr. Prior, . . « ^ 234 

To Archbishop King, . . . ^ . . 230 

From the Countess of Orkney and Mrs. Ramsay, - - 242 

From the Countess of Orkney, - . - - - • 243 

To Archbishop King, *'■---- ib. 

From the Countess of Orkney, ...... 240 

To the same, -------ib 

From the Countess of Orkney, ^ - - - » 249 

From Thomas Harrison, Esq. - • - > - ib 

TotbeDncheflBofOrmond, - - - • . 253 



• 



!• 



E 3 



r_- 



umn 







CONTENTS. yI 

lidiopKiiis, 117 

rhbishop King, ...... 159 

pd Peterborow, ------ ISf 

lishopKiag, ]5| 

^hbishop King, -.-.-. 155 

Peterborow, - - - - - . 159 

dshop King, .-..-. ||Q 

ecretary St. John, - - . . . 1^ 

rhbishop King, .--... ifiS 

d Peterborow, ------ 179 

'isbop King, - - .... 172 

hbishop King, --.-.. 175 

same, -.-.... ]79 

'chbishop, -..-.. lad 

ne, IM 

ne, 186 

same, -----.. 191 

-ancis Atterbuiy, ..... 193 

ishop King, - I93 

same, ----... 209 

8anie, 2M 

same, ib. 

same, ------- 

. Secretary St. John, . - . . . 

same, --.---- 2J0 

3. Long, ----- - lb. 

'er to the Lord High Treanrer Oxford, - - 212 

)rd's Answer, - - - * - - 213 

lfOng*8 death, - ... - • 215 

«me, ----..- 217 

tishop King, --.-.- 221 

Sacheverell, ------ 225 

ishop King, - - - - - - 228 

me, - - - - - - - 229 

Hill, 231 

alHUl, - - - - - - - 232 

Ingbroke to Mr. Prior, . - - - 234 

lishop King, ------ 239 

Countns of Orkney and Mrs. Ramsay, - " 212 

Counteiw of Orkney, ----- 243 

>ishop King, . - - - - - u,^ 

Countess of Orkney, ----- 246 

me, - - - - - * ' • ib^ 

Orkney, - - - " - 249 

, Esq. - • - - - ib, 

d, 2*3 



J 



^ CONTENT*. 

To Archbishop King, - - - - 255 

]^m Lord Bolinsbroke, - - - ^ 25f 

To the Duke of Argyll, - - - fti. 

From Robert Hunter, Esq. - - - - 260 

From the same, - , - - . 261 

To Archbishop King, - - . ■• 262 

From Mr. Prior, - - " . "* * ^66 

From Lord Poulett, ----- 267 

TotheRe^. Mr. William Draper, - ib. 

From Dr. Atterbury, - . - - - 269 

To Archbiihop King, - - - - Ib. 

To Chancellor Harcourt, - - - - 270 

To Mr. Addison, - - - - - 271 

From Mr. Steele, - - - » - 273 

To Mr. Steele, - - - - - 273 

From Sir T. Hanmer, - - r - 278 

To Archbishop King, - " - - ib. 

From Mr. Steele, - - - - - 278 

To Mr Steele, - - - - - 2T9 

From Elrasmm Lewis, Elsq. . .■ _ - 280 

From the Rev. Mr. Sharpe, .... - 281 

To Miss Vanhomrigh, - - - - 2B3 

From Erasmus Lewis, Esq. - - - . 284 

To Ardibishop King, - - - - 2B5 

From Erasmus Lewis, Esq. - - . - - 281 

To Bishop Atterbury, - . _ . 287 

From Mr. Prior, - - - - . 289 

From Mr. Ltwis, ----- 201 

From Dr. Smalridge, . . - . 288 

To Archdeacon Walla, - - - - 203 

From Lord Chancellor Phipps, - - . 294 

To Archdeacon Walls, .... 295 

To the same, - ' - - - - 297 

To Archbishop King, .... 299 

From Lord Chancellor Phipps, - v. - soi 

From Dr. Davenant, - - _ . 302 
Extract from the MS. diary of Bishop Kennett, in the Library 

ofthe Marquis of Lansdowne, ... 304 

From the Duchess of Ormond, .... 30^ 

To Lord Treasurer Oxford^ - - -^ 306 






Tim 

BBinSH CLASSICS 

VOLUME THE FORTY-NINTH. 

COKTAIVIKO THB 

FIFTEENTH VOLUME 

ov 

SWIFT'S WORKS. 



1813. 



WORKS 



OF THE 



REV. JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D. 

i>EAN OF ST. Patrick's, DUBLra. 

ARRANGED BT 

THOMAS SHERIDAN, A^M. 

iriTu 
NOTES, HISTORICAL AND GRItlCAL. 



A VIEW EDITION, IN TWENTr<-FOUR YOLVHUk 

CORBSCTID AMD RXYISID 

BT JOHN NICHOLS, F. A. S. 

EDINBURGH AND PERTH. 



VOLUME XV. 



IfEW^YORKt 
rVBLISHSS BT WILLIAM DimELL AND CO, 



1813. 



4 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

should not have behaved myself after that manner I 
did in Leicester,* if I had not valued my own enter- 
tainment beyond the obloquy of a parcel of very wretch- 
ed fools, which I solemnly pronounce the inhabitants of 
Leicester to be ; and so I contented myself with retalia- 
^k lion. I hope you will forgive this trouble ; and so with 
~ my service to your good wife, I am, good cousin. 
Your very afTectioDate friend and servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



TO THE ATHENIAN SOCIETY.! 

Moor Park, FeL 14, 169 1-2. 
Gentlemen, 
Since every body pretends to trouble you with their 
follies, I thought I might claim the privilege of an Eng- 
lishman, and put in my share among the rest. Being 
last year in Ireland (from whence I returned about half 
a year ago,t) I heard only a loose talk of your society ; 

self so as thni my friends need not be ashamed of the name.* If the 
noon be used, it should have its corresponding pronoun; if the verb, 
its adverb. S. 

* Where, in 1688, Swift resided some months with his mother. On 
this head see Mr. Sheridan's Life of Swift; and the JDean*s letter to 
Mr. WorreU, Jan. 18, 1728-9. W. 

f This letter first appeared in tiie Supplement to the fifth volvme of 
the Athenian Gazette. A periodical collection of answers sent, or 
supposed to be sent to the several letters addressed to the publisher, 
John Dunton. N. 

1 By this expression, and some particulars which follow, it appears 
that Dr. Swift, on his retum from Ireland, did not immediately go 
back to Moor Par'k; as, in the letter to Mr. Kendall, dated only three 
days before this to the Athenian Society, we £nd he had been but 
seven weeks with Sir William. The intermediate time, from the sub- 
ject of the letter to Mr. Kendall, appears to have been principally 
passed witli his mother at Leicester, from which place he made Ox- 
Cord in his way to Moor Park. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 5 

aod believed Ihe design to be only some new folly just 
suitable to the age, which God knows I little expected 
ever to produce any thing extraordinary. Since my 
being in England, having still continued in the country, 
and much out of company, I had but little advantage of 
knowing any more, till about two months ago, passing ,W 
through Oxford, a rer^ lewned gentleman there fii*st 
showed me two or three of your volumes, and gave me 
his accouDi aod opinion of you. A while after I came 
to ibis place, upon a visit to Sir William Temple,* where 
I have been ever since, and have seen all the four vo- 
lumesf with their supplements ; whic!) answering my ex- 
pectation, the perusal has produced w hat you find en- 
closed. 

As I have been somewhat inclined to this folly, so I 
have seldom wanted somebody to flatter me in it. And 
for the ode enclosed, I have sent it, to a pejrsoo of very 
great learning and honour, and since, to some others, the 
best of my acquaintance (to which I thought vtsj pro- 
per to enure it Ust a greater light;) and they have all 
been pleased to tell me, that they are sure it will u^t be 
unwelcome, and that* I should beg the honour of "^j^stw to 
let it be printed before your next volume (which I think 
^ is soon to be published ;) it being so usual before most 
books of any great value among poets : and before its 
seeing the world, I submit it wholly to the correction of 
your pens. 

I entreat therefore one of you would descend so far 
as to write two or three lines to me of your pleasure up- 
on it : M'hich as I cannot but expect from gentlemen, 
who have so well shown, upon so many occasions, that 
gi^atest character of scholars in being favourable to the 

• His great patron. N. 

t The folio edition of the Alheniaft Oracle. N, 



e LETTERS TO AND FROM 

ignorant; so, I am sure, nothing at present can more 
highly oblige me, or make me happier. I am, gentle- 
men, your ever most humble, and most admiring^ ser- 
vant, 

JONATHAN SWIFT. 



-'»S 



TO MR. WILLIAM SWIFT.» 

Mow Parky Nov. 29, 1 692* 

SIR, 

My sister told me you was pleased, when she wag 
here, to wonder I did so seldom write to you. I hope 
you have been so kind to impute it neither to ill man- 
ners or disrespect. I always have thought that sufficient 
from one who has always been but too troublesome to 
you. Besides, I know your aversion to impertinence :* 
and God knows, so very private a life as mine can fiir^ 
uish a letter with little else, for I often am two or three 
monUis without seeing any body l^ide the family ; and 
now my sister is gone, I am likely to be more solitary 
than before. I am still to thank you for your care ii>. 
my testmomum;\ and it was to very good purpose, for 
I never was more satisfied than in the behaviour of the 
university of Oxford to me. I had all the civilities 1 
could wish for, and so many substantial favours, that I 
am ashamed to have been more obliged in a few week^ 
to strangers, than ever I was in seven years to Dublin 



* This letter to his uncle (though somewhat imperfect and mani- 
festly written in a hurry) certainly merits our regard, as helping to 
clear up some passages in the writer's life* N. 

f From the certi6cate of his degree, in consequence of which he wa^. 
admittwl ad eittidcm at Oxford,, June 14, leeSL D.S. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 7 

coHege. I am not to take orders^ till the kiog gives me 
a prebend; and Sir William Temple, though he. promi- 
ses me the certainty of it, yet is less forward than T could 
vish,f because (I suppose) he believes I shall leave 
him,| and, upon some accounts, he thinks me a little ne- 
cessary to him.§ If I were affording entertainment, or 
doing you any satbfactiao l^fldy letters,^!: should bor 
very glad to perform it thiit way, as I am bound to do it 
by all others. T am sorry my fortune should fling me so 
far from the best of my relations ; but hope that I shall 
have the happiness to see you some time or other. Pray, 
my humble service to mj good aunt, and the rest of my 
relations, if you please. 



TO MR. DEANE SWIFT.|| 

Leicester^ June 3, 1 604. 
I RBCEiVED your kind letter to-day from your sister; 
and am very glad to find you will spare time from busi- 
ness so far as to write a long letter to one you have none 
at all with but friendship, which, as the world passes, is 
perhaps one of the idlest things in it. It is a pleasure 
to me to see you saUy out of your road, and take notice 
of curiosities of which I am very glad to have part, and 
desire you to set by some idle minutes for a commerce 

* It mdLjrhe observed from this passage, that he 'does not qpeak of 
goibg into the church as a pointrof news to his uucle. D. S. 

f Here are the grounds of a quarrel which happened between him 
and Sir Wimam Temple in 1604. D. S. 

I Wlikhat last was the cause of much anger in Sir William Tem- 
ple. D.S. 

\, Dr. Swift was at this time employed in revising Sir William' 
Tcmple*s Works for the press. N. 
It ▲.couiin of Dr. Swift^s, then at Lisbon. N. 



rHi 



2 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

which shall ever be dear to me, and from so good ao ob- 
server as you may easily be, cannot fail of being useful. 
I am sorry to see so much superstition in a country so 
given to trade ; I half used to think those two to be in- 
compatible. Not that I utterly dislike your processions 
iil^ for rain or fkir weather, which, as trifling as they are, 
yet have go^^ eflfecfs to quiet common heads, and in- 
fuse a piping devotion* among the rabble. But your 
burning the old woman, unless she were a duenna, I shall 
never be reconciled to ; though it is easily observed that 
nations which have most gallantry to the young, are 
ever the severest upon the old. I have not leisure to 
descant farther upon your pleasing letter, nor any thing 
to return you from so barren a scene as this, which I > 
shall leave in four days toward my journey for Ireland. 
I had designed a letter to my cousin Willoughby ;f and 

, the last favour he has- done me requires a great deal of 
acknowledgment; but the thought of my sending so 
many before, has made me believe it better to trust you 
with delivering my best thanks to him, and that you will 
endeavour to persuade him how extremely sensible of 
his goodness andgenerosity I am. I wish and shall pray 
he may be as happy as he deserves, and he cannot be 
more. My mother desires her best love to him and to 
you, with botb our services to my cou2in, his wife. 

I forgot to tell you I left Sir William Temple a month 
ago, just as I foretold it to you ; and every thing hap- 

' pened thereupon exactly as I guessed. He was ex- 
tremely angry I left him ; and yet would not oblige him- 
self any faither than upon my good behaviour, nor would 

* Swift, at this time, little expected that the seal ofthe Inqui^itiott 
should extend to any of his wtirical Writings ; part of which they 
iiowever actuallr burnt. See the Vindication of Bickerstaffe, in the 
foiirth volume of this collection. N. 

f A very considerable merchant at Lisbon. 0. S. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 9 

promise any thing firmly to me at all ; so that eveiy 
body judged I did best to leave him. I design to be or- 
dained in September next, and make what endeavours I 
can for something in the church. I wish it may ever 
lie in my cousin'^s way or yours to have interest to bring 
me in chaplain of the factory. 

If any thing offers from Dublin that may serve either 
to satisfy or divert you, I will not fidl of contributing, and 
giving you con«jUuit intelligence from thence of whatever 
you shall desire. I am. 

Your affectionate cousin and servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



TO SIR WI14-IAM TEMPLE.* 

DublinyOct. 6, 16^4. 

Mat it plbase tour Honovb, 

That I might not continue the many troubles I have 
given you, I have all this while avoided one, which I 
fear prcnK^ necessary at last. I have taken all due 
methods to be ordained, and one time of ordination is al- 
ready elapsed since my arrival for effecting it. Two 
or three bishops, acquaintance of our family, have sig- 
nified to me and them, that after so long standing in the 
uni^eraity, it is admired I have not entered upon some- 
thing or other, (above half the clergy in this town being 
Diy juniors,) and that it being so many years since I 

* Tbb very ciurious letter was transcribed firora the original to Sir 
William Temple; endorsed by Mr. Temple, " Swift's Penitential 
Lietter ;*' copied by Dr. Shipman, late Fellow of All Souls College, 
O^cford, and Rector of Compton near Winchester, who was a relation 
to Sir WiUiam Temple. N. 



10 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

left this kingdom^, they could not adroit me to the mimii^ 
try without some certificate of ray behaviour where 1 
Mved ; and my Lord Archbishop of Dublin''*' was pleased 
to say a great deal of this kind to me yesteirday ; con- 
cluding against all I had to say, that he expected I 
should have a certificate from your honour of my con- 
duct in yS&t family. The sence I am in, how low I am 
fallen in your hotiottr's thoughti, has denied me assur- 
ance enongh to beg this favour, till I find it impossible 
to avoid : and I entreat your honour to understand^, 
that no person is admitted here to a living, without 
some knowledge of bis abilities for it : which it being 
reckoned impossible ta judge in those who are not or- 
dained, the usual method is fo admit men first to some 
small reader's place, till, by preaching upon occasions,, 
they can value themselves for bettfer prefercnent. This 
(without great friends) is so- general, that if I were four- 
score years old I must go the scMne way, and should at 
that age be told, every one must have a beginning. If 
entreat that your honour will connder this, and will 
please to send me some certificaite of my behaviour du- 
ring almost three years in your family; wherein I shall 
stand in need of alt your goodness to excuse my many 
weaknesses and oversights, much more to say any thing 
to my advantage. The particulars expected of me are 
what reliate to morals and learning, and the reasons of 
quitting your honour's family, that is, whether the last 
was occanoned by any ill actions. They are all left 
entirely to your honour's mercy, though in die first 
I think I cannot reproach mysdf any farther than for 
infiamdlies. 

* Dr. Nareimu Manh, Archbishop of Dablin, lOM— 1702 ; after- 
mwtdM ArchhiBhop of AroBSiKh, till 171S. Sm a letter, datedFeb. 3* . 



DOCTOR SWIFT. U 

This is all I dare beg at present from your honour^ 
under circumstances of life not worth your regard : what 
is leA me to wish (next to the health and prosperity of 
your honour and family) is, that HeaTen would one day 
allow me the opportunity of leaving my acknowledg- 
ments at your feet for so many favours I have received ; 
which, whatever effect they hiMT^^ad upon my fortune, 
shall never fail to have' ibe greatest upon my miody iu 
approving myself, upon all occasions, your honour's 
most obedient and most dutiful servant, &c. 

I beg my most humble duty and service be presented 
to my ladies your honour's lady and sister* 

The ordination Is appointed by the archbishop by the 
beginning of November; so that, if your honour will 
not grant this favour immediately, I fear it will come 
too late. 



TO VABINA.* 

Ih PATiSNCB is the most inseparable quality of a lover, 
and indeed of every person who is in pursuit of a de- 
sign whereon he conceives his greatest happiness or mi- 
sery to depend. It is the same thing in war, in courts, 
'and 10 common business. Every one who hunts aftet 

* Sister to Mr. Warjng, Swift*B chamber-fellotr at college. This 
letter was first printed in Mi*. George Monck Berkeley's Literary 
Relics, 1789. A second letter to Miss Waryng, May 4, 1700, will be 
Ibimd in tlie present voliinie. Three other letters, directed to her tit 
Bellatt, are existing; thoogh we are unable to give morethan their 
dates ; Dec. 20, 1605, from Dublin ; June 29, 1686, and Aug. 28, 1697, 
from Moor F^k. K 



12 XETTERS TO AND FROM 

pleasure, or fame, or fortune, is still resUess and uoeasy 
till he has hupted down his game : and all this is not 
only very natural, but something reasonable too ; for a 
yioient desire is little better than a distemper, and there- 
fore men are > not to blame in looking after a cure. I 
find myself hugely infected with this malady, and am 
easily vain enough to believe it has some very good rea- 
sons to excuse it. For ipdeed, in my case, there are 
some circumstances which will admit pardon for moie 
than ordinary disquiets. That dearest object upcn 
which all my prospect of happiness entirely depends, is 
in perpetual danger to be removed for ever from my 
sight. Varina's life is daily wasting ; and though one 
just and honourable action could furnish health to her« 
and unspeakable happiness to us both, yet some power 
that repines at human felicity has that influence to hold 
her continually doating upon her cruelty, and me upoa 
the cause of it. This fully convinces me of what we 
are told, that the miseries of man^s life are all beaten 
out on his owa anvil. Why was I so foolisli to put m^ 
hopes and fears into the power or management of an* 
other ? Liberty is doubtless the most valuable blessiag 
of life ; yet we are fond to fling it away on those who 
have been th^se 5000 years using us ill. Fbilosopby 
advises to keep our desires and prospects of happiness 
as muc h as we can in our own breasts, and indepeudest 
of any thing without. He that sends them abroad u 
likely to have &s little quiet as a merchant whose stoci 
depends upon winds, and waves, and pirates, or upon the 
words and faith of creditors, every whit as dangerdu 
an d inconstant as the other. 

I am a villain, if I have not been poiing this half hem 
ov er the paper merely for want of something to say U 
you : or is it ratlier that I have' so much to say to yon 



DOCprOR SWIFT. 13 

ibat I know not where to begin, thougb at last it^s all 
very likely to be arrant repetition ? 

Two strangers, a poet and a beggar, went to cuffs yes- 
terday in this town, which minded me heartily to curse 
both employments. However, I am glad to see those 
two trades fall out, because I always heard they had 
beefi constant cronies: but what was best of all, the 
poet got the better, and kicked the gentleman beggar 
out of doors. This was of great comfort to me, till I 
heard the victor himself was a most abominable bad 
rhymer, and as mere a vagabond beggar as the other, 
which is a very great offence to me; for starving is 
much too honourable for a blockhead. I read some of 
his verses printed in praise of my lady Donegal], by 
which he has plainly proved that fortune has injured 
Mm, and that he is dunce enough to be worth five thou- 
fand pounds a year. It is a pity he has not also the 
^ qualifications to recommend himself to your sex. I dare 
engage no ladies would hold him long in suspense with 
their tinkindness : one settlement of separate mainte- 
nance, well engrossed, would have more charms than 
all the wit or passion of a thousand letters. And I will 
maintain it, any man had better have a poor angel to his 
rival than the devil himself if he was rich. 

Tou now have had time enough to consider my last 
letter, and to form your own resolutions upon it. I wait 
your answer with a world of impatience ; and if you 
think fit I should attend you before my journey, I am 
ready to do it. My Lady Donegall tells me that it is 
feared my lord deputy will not live many days ; and if 
that be so, it is possible I may take shipping from hence, 
* otherwise I shall set out on Monday fortnight for Dub- 
lin, and, after one visit of leave to his excellency, hasten 
to England : and how far you will stretch the point of 
your unreasonable scruples to keep me here, will de- 



16 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

up for a virtue : but when they are grounded at first 
upon reason, when they have taken firm root, and grown 
up to a height, it is folly — folly as well as injustice, to 
withstand their dictates ; for this passion has a property 
peculiar to itself, to be most commendable in its ex- 
tremes ; and it is as possible to err in the excess of piety 
as of love. 

These are the rutoei I have long followed with you, 
Varina ; and had you pleased to iiuitate them, we should 
both have been infinitely happy. The little disguises, 
and affected contradictions of your sex, were all (to say 
the truth) infinitely beneath persons of your pride and 
mine ; paltry maxims that they are, calculated for the 
rabble of humanity. O, Varina, how imagination leads 
roe beyond myself and all my sorrows! It is sunk, and 
a thousand graves lie open ! — No, madam, I will give 
you no more of my unhappy temper, though I derive it 
all from you. ' 

Farewell, madam ; and may love make you a while 
forget your temper to do me justice. Only remember, 
that if you still refuse to be mine, you will quickly 
lose him that has resolved to die as he has lived, "aU 
yours. 

JON. SWIFT. 

I have here sent you Mr. Fletcher's letter, wherein I 
hope I do not injure generosity or break trust, since 
the contents are purely my own concern. If you will 
pardon the ill hand and s[>elling, the reason and sense 
of it you will find veiy well and proper. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. i7 



TO MRS. JANE SWIFT.* 

1606. 
I BECSiVKD your kind letter from Robert by word of 
mouth, and thiDk it s vast condeicensioo io you to thlok 
of us in all your greatoetB ; now shall we hear m>thiDg 
from you for five months but iVe courtiers, hoory is 
well, and presents his humUe ^uty to my lady, and love 
te his fellow servant ; but he is the miserablcst creature 
in the world ; eternally in his melancholy note, what- 
ever I can do; and if hb finger does but ache, I am in 
such a fright you would wonder at it. I pray return my 
service to Mrs. Filby,^ in payment of her's by Robert. 



* The Doctor's nster. See May 28, 1696. 

Thitlady, who wsi/then at her ancle Swia*s in Bride^treet, Dub- 
IId, was married about Dec. 13, 1699, to Joseph Feotoa of the city of 
Dobiio, as appears from the license of that date, granted by the Dean 
of St Patrick's (Dr. Jerom Ryves,) in whose liberties she was then an 
inhabitant. At the time of her marriage, she was actually worth 
300L; and on representing to her brother, that this. sum was insuffi- 
cient to support her, he promised to settle upon her 5001. being all 
he was then possessed of in the world, the very hour that he should 
get some benefice in the church, which he daily expected, provided 
she would reject this overture of marriage with a proper disdain. But 
she suffered herself to be guided by the advice of her uncles; and the 
event of the match proved unfortunate. The husbai\d (who is repre*' 
sented as an old tyrannical vicious rake, and scarcely worth half the 
sum he bad pretended) broke, and died, leaving his wife with two or 
three children in very deplorable circumstances. On this event. Dr. 
Swift acquainted her by message (for he would never be so far ream- 
ciled as to see her face) that he would allow her twenty pounds a 
year during her life, provided she would live in England, but not 
otherwise; which condition she accepted, and constantly received 
that annuity until the time of her decease ; which happened in 1738 ; 
at which time the Dean put on mourning for her. N. 

t An elder sister to Filby. Her husband, Mr. Filby, was a botch- 
er in Lnndon. F. 

VOL. XV 



18 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Nothing grows better by your absence but my lady's 
chamber floor, and Tumble down Dick. Here are three 
letters for you, and Molly will not send one of them ; 
she says you ordered her to the contrary ; Mr. Mose* 
aild I desire you will remember our love to the king, 
and let us know how he looks. 

Robert aays, the czarf ig. there, and is fallen in love 
with you, and designs to carry you to Muscovy ; pray 
provide yourself with muffs and sable tippets, «&c. 

iEolus has made a strange revolution in the rooks* 
uests ; but I say no more, for it is dangerous to meddle 
witli things above us. 

I desire your absence heartily ; for now I live ip 
great state, and the cook comes in to know what I please 
to have for dinner ; I ask very gravely what is in the 
house, and accordingly give orders for a dish of pigeons,^ 
or, &c> You shall have no more ale here, unless you 
send us a letter. Here is a great bundle and a letter 
for you ; both came together from London. We all 
keep home like so many cats. 

* Steward to Sir William Temple, after whoae death be married 
Mrs. Johnson, Stella^s sister. N. 
f Peter the Great was then in England. N. ^ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. ^9 



TO THE REV. MR. WINDER,* PREBEN- 
DARY OF KILROOT. 

[to be left at BELFAST, IN THE COUNTY OP 
ANTBIM, IHSLAND.] 

Moor Parky Jan. 13, 1698-0. 

I Am not likely to be so pleased ^rith any thing again 
this good while, as I was with your letter of December 
2O9 and it has begun to put me into a good opinion of 
my own merits, or at least ray skill at negotiation, to 
find I have so quickly restored a correspondence that I 
feared was declining, as it requires more charms and ad- 
dress in women to revive one fainting flame than to kin- 
dle a dozen new ones if but I assure you I was very far 
from imputing your silence to any bad cause (having 
never entertained one single ill thought of you in my 
life,) but to a custom which breaks off commerce be- 
tween abundance of people after a long absence. At 
first one omits writing for a little while, and then one 
stays a while longer to consider of excuses, and at last 
it grows desperate, and one does not write at all : At 
this rate I have served others, and have been served 
myself. 

* This gentleman was Swi(l*i immediaffe successor in the prebend of 
Ireland. In 1714 he printed a sermon, which he preached at St. 
Mary's, Dublin, May 30, 1714, ** on the mischief of faction to church 
and state/' Elizabeth the youngest daughter of Mr. Winder was mo- 
ther to the first Lord Macartney. N. 

f Mr. Sheridan notices a preceding letter to Mr. Winder from 
Moor Park, in 1698; in which Swift says, ** I remember those 
letters to Eliza j they were writ in my youth. Pray burn them. 
Yea mention a dangerous rival for an absent lover ; but I mast take 
my fortuoet If the npport proceed, pray inform me.*' N. 



20 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

I "wish I had a lexicon by me to find whether your 
Greek word be spelt aod accented right ; and I am verj 
Sony 70U have made an acuttan in uUima^ as if you 
laid the greatest stress upon the worst part of the word. 
However, I protest against your meaning, or any inter- 
pretation you shall ever make of that nature out of my 
letters. If I Uiought you deserved any bitter words, I 
should eitlier deliver them plainly, or hold my tongue 
altogether ; for I esteem the custom of conveying one's 
resentments by hints or innuendoes to be a sign of ma* 
lice, or fear, or too little sincerity ; but I have told yoii; 
coram et absens, that you a^e in your nature more sen- 
sible than you need be, and it is hard you cannot be 
satisfied witli the esteem of the best among your neigh- 
bours, but lose your time in regarding what may be 
thought of you by one of my privacy and distance. I 
wish you could as easily make my esteem and friendship 
for you to be of any value as you may be sure to com- 
mand them. 

I should be sorry if you have been at an inconve- 
nience in hastening my accounts ; and I dare refer you 
to my letters, that they will lay the fault upon yourself; 
for I think I desired more than once, that you would not 
make more despatch than stood with your ease, because 
I was in no haste at all. 

I desired of you two or three times that when you 
had sent me a catalogue of those few books, you would 
not send them to Dublin till you had heard again from 
joe : The reason was, that I did believe there were one 
or two of them that might have been useful to you, and 
one or two more that were not worth the carriage : Of 
the latter sort were an old musty Horace, and Foley's 
book ; of the former were Reynolds* Works, C<dlectioQ 
of Sermons, in 4to. Stiilingfleet's Grounds, <&c. and the 
folio pap» book, very good for sermons, or a receifi^ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 21 

book for your wife, or to keep accounts for mutton, rtil- 
siU8,*&c The Sceplis Seientijica is not mine, but old Mr. 
Dobbs's, and I irish it were restored : He Jibs Ten)f>le's 
Miscellanea instead of it, which is a good book, worth 
your reading. If Sceptis ScierUifica comes to me, I'll 
bum it for a fustian piece of abominable curious vir- 
tuoso stuff. The books missing are few md inconsi- 
derable, not worth troubling any body about.' I hope 
.this will come to your hands, before you have sent your 
cargo, that you may keep^ those books 1 mention ; and 
desire you will write my name, and ex dono before them, 
Jo laroe letters. ■ 

I desiie ray humble service to Mrs. Winder, and that 
you will let her know I shall pay a visit at Carmony 
some day or other, how little soever any of you may 
think of it. But I will, as you desire, excuse you the 
deliveiy of my complimeuts to poor H. Clements, and 
hc|>e you will have much better fortune than poor Mr. 
Davis, who has left a family that is like to find a cruel 
want oi him. Fray let me hear that you grow very 
rich, and begin to make purchases. I never heard that 
H. Clements was dead : I was at his mayoral feast : 
Has he been mayor since ? or did he die then, and 
every body forget to send me word of it ? 

Those sermons you have thought fit to transcnfte 
will utterly disgrace you, unless you have so much cre- 
dit that whatever comes from you will pass : They w.ere 
wbat I was firmly resolved to bum, and especially some 
of them the idlest trifling stuff that ever was writ, cal- 
culated for a church without company, or a roof, like 
our *****^*** Oxford. They will be a perfect 
lampoon upon me, whenever you look on them, and re- 
member they are mine. 

I, remember those letters to Eliza ; they were writ in 
my youth; you might have sealed them up, and no- 



22 LETTERS TO AND JbROAl 

body of my friends would have opened them : Pray 
burn them. There were parcels of other papers that I 
would not have lost ; and I hope you have packed them 
up so that they may come to me. Some of them were 
abstracts and collections from reading. 

You mention a dangerous rival for an absent lover : 
but I must take my fortune: If tlie report proceeds, 
pray inform me; and when jou have leisure and hu- 
mour, give me the pleasure of a letter from you : And 
tliough you are a man full of fastenings to the world, 
yet endeavour to continue a friendship in absence ; for 
who knows but fate may jumble us together again : 
And I believe, had I been assured of your neighbour- 
hood, I should, not have been so lusatisfied with the ro» 
gion I was planted in. 

I am, aad will be ever entirely, 

Yours, &c. 

J. SWIFT. 
P. S« Pray let me know something of my debt being 

paid to Tailer, the inkeeper of ; I have forgot 

the town * , between Dromore and Newry, 



MRS. JANE SWIFT TO MR. DEANE SWIFT. 

May 26, 1 699, 
Mt poor brother has lost his best friend Sir William 
Temple, who was so fond of him whilst he lived, that 
he made him give up his living* in this countiy, to stay 
with him at Moor Park : and promised to get him one iu 
England. But death came in between, and has left him 
unprovided both of friend and living \ 

* The prebeo4 of Kilroot, in the diocese of Connor^ ^0 we^tb 
a^ui 1902.. a year, and^^ 1716 w^x^ al^ut |70(. ^. 



DOCTOR SWIFT, 23 



TO MISS JANE WARYNG.* 

Dublin, May A, noo. 

MAD AM, 

I AM extreme! J concerned at the accoum you gi^e of 
jour heaJtb ; for my uocle told ine he found ybu in ap- 
pearance better thao you had been in some yeariR, and I 

:iir^ in hopes you had still continued so. God forbid I 
should ever be the occasion of creating more troubles to 
yotiy as you seem to intimate ! The letter you desired 
me to answer I haTe frequently read, and thought I had 
•replied to every part of it that required it ; however, 
since you are pleased to repeat those particulars ivhere- 
in you desire satisfaction, I shall endeavour to give it 

- yon as well as I am aWe." You would kuow what gave 
my temper that sudden turn, as to alter the style of my 
letters since I last came over. If there has been that 
alteration you observe, I have told you the cause abun- 
dance of times. I had used a thousand endeavours and 
arguments, to get you from the company and place you 
are in ; botli on the account of your health and humour, 
which I thought were like to suffer very much in such 
■an air, and before such examples. Ail I had in answer 
from you, was nothing but a great deal of arguing, and 
sometimes in a style so very imperious as I thought 
might have been spared, when I reflected hoi^ much you 
iiad been in the wrong. The other thing you would 
know is, whether this change of style be owing to the 
thoughts of a new mistress. I declare, upon the word 
of a christian and a gentleman, it is not ; neither had I 

f A young lady of family in the North of Ireland. It was written 
BOt long before the time of Stellate fixing her residence in that king- 



24 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

ever thoughts of being married to any other person but 
yourself. I had ever an opinion that you had a great 
s veetDCss of nature and humour; and whatever appear* 
ed to the contrary, I looked upon it only as a thing put 
on as necessary before a Jover : but I have since observ- 
ed in abundance of your leltei-s such marks of a severe 
indilT'eieuce, that I began to think it Mas hardly possible 
for one of my few good qualities to please you, I never 
knew any so hard to be worked upon, even in matters 
where the interest and concern are entirely your own ; 
all which, J say, passed easily while we were in the state 
of formalities and ceremony ; but, since that, there is no 
other way of accounting for this untractabie behaviour 
in you, but by imputing it to a want of common esteem 
and friendship for me. 

When I desired an account of your fortune, I had no 
lucb design as you pretend to imagine. I have told you * 
many a time, that in England it was in the power of 
any joung fellow of common sense to get a larger fortune 
than ever you pretended to : I asked, in order to con- 
sider whether it were sufficient, with tlie help of my poor 
income, to make one of your humour easy in a married 
state. I think it comes to almost a hundred pounds m 
year ; and I think at the same time that no young wo- 
man in the world of the same income would dwindle 
away their health and life in such a sink, and among 
such family conversation : neither have all your letters 
been once able to persuade that you have the least value 
for me, because you so little regarded what I so often 
said upon that matter. The dismal account you say I 
have given you of my livings'''' I can assure you to be m 
true one; and, since it is a dismal oue even in your own 
opinion, you can best draw consequences from it. The 

* Thoie of laracor and Ratkbeggfo. F. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 25 

place wbere Dr. Bolton.^ lived is upon a liviog whidi 
he keeps vith the deanery ; '^ut the place of residence 
for that they have given me is within a mile of a town 
called Trim, twenty miles from hence ; and there is no 
other way, but to hire a house at Trim, or build one on 
the spot : the first is hardly to be done, and the other I 
am too poor to perform at present. For coralbg dowa to 
Belfast, it is what I cannot yet think o( my attendance 
is so close, and so much required of me ; but our govern^ 
ment sits very loose, and I believe will change in a few 
months) whether our partf will partake in the change, 
J know not, though I am very apt to believe it ; and then 
I shall be at leisure for a short journey. But I hope 
your o(her friends, miure powerful than I, will before that 
time persuade you from the place where you are. I 
desire my service to your mother, in return for her re- 
nembraoce : but for any other dealings that way, I ea- 
Ireat your pardon ; and I think I have more cause to re- 
sent your desires of me in that case, than you have to be 
angry at my refusals. If you like such company and 
conduct, much good do you with them ! My education 
has been otherwise'. My uncle Adam^ asked me one 

* Tliisgentlemao, as well as Dr. Swift, was chaplaiatoLord Berke- 
ley when ooe of the lords justices in Ireland ; aud was promoted to 
the deaoeiy of Derry, which had been previously promised to Dr. 
Swift: but Mr. Bush, the principal secretary, for weighty reasons 
best known to himself, laid Dr^ Swift aside, unless he would pay him 
a large sura; which the Doctor refused with, the utmost contempt and 
icom. F. — ^Dr. Bolton, who was also Minister of St. WerburghV, 
Dublin, was advanced to the bishoprick of Clonfert, Sept. 12, 1722; 
trandated to Elphin, April 16, 1724; to Cashel,. Jan. 6, 1729; and 
died in 1744. He was one of the mo^ eloquent speakers of his tiine, 
and was patticularly skilled in ecclesiastical history. N. 

f Meaning Lord Berkeley, who was then one of the three lordsjusti'* 
ces. The Earl of Rochester was appointed lord lieutenantin Septem- 
ber following. N. 

X Whose daughter<Anne, married a clergyman of the name of P^r- 
ly. See Journal to SteUa, May 2U 171]. N. 

B 2 



26 LEl-TERS TO AND FKOM 

daj Id private, as by direction, what my designs wa|^ 
iu relation to jou, because it might be a hindrance ta 
you if I did not proceed. The answer I gave him (which 
1 suppose he has sent you) was to this effect : " That I 
hoped I was no hindrance to you ; because the reason 
you urged against an union with me W9S drawn from 
your indifpositloB^ which still continued ; that you alsa 
thought my fortune not sufficient, which is neither at 
present in a condition to offer you : That, if your health 
and my fortnne were as they ought, I would prefer you 
above all your sex ; but that, in the present condition of 
both, I thought it was against your opinion, and would 
certainly make you unhappy : That, had you any other 
offers which your friends or yourself thought more t» 
your advantage, I shoi^ld think I were very unjust ta 
l^e an obstacle in your way." Now for what concerns 
Biy fortune, you have answered it. I desire therefore, 
you will let me know if your health be otherwise than 
it was when you told me the doctors advised you against 
roaniage, as what would certainly hazard your life» 
Are they or you grown of another opinion in thb parti- 
cular ? are you in a condition to manage domestic a^ 
fairs, with an income of less (perhaps) than three hun- 
dred pounds a year ? have you such an inclination ta 
my person and humour, as to comply with my desires 
and way' of living, and endeavour to make us both as 
happy as you can ? will you be ready to engage in those 
Etethods I shall direct for the improvement of your mind, 
to as to make us entertsuning company for each other, 
irithout being miserable when we are neither visitinf^; 
Bor visited ? can you bend your love and esteem and in- 
difference to others the same way as I do mine ? shall I 
have so much power in your heart, or you sa much go- 
▼ernment of your passions, as to grow in good humour 
upon my approach, though proToked bj a «-— ? have 



DOCTOR SWIFT. . 27 

ypQ 80 much good-nature as to endeavour by soft words 
to smooth any rugged humour occasioned by the cross 
aocidents of life ? shall the place wherever your husband 
is thrown be more welcome than courts and cities with- 
out him ? In short, these are some of the necessary me- 
thods to please men who, like me^ are deep-read-^n the 
world ; and to a person thus made, I should -be proud in 
giving all due returns towards makii^ her happy. These 
are the questioos I have always resolved to propose to 
ber with whom I meant to pass my life f and whenever 
you can heartily answer them in the affirmative, I shall 
be blessed to have you in my arms, without regarding 
ivhether your person be beautiful, or your fortune large* 
Cleanliness in the first, and competency in the other, is 
all I look for. I desire indeed a plentiful revenue, but 
would rather it should be of my own ; though I should 
bear from a wife to be reproached for the greatest. 

I have. said all I can possibly say in answer to any 
part of your letter, and in tellii^ you my clear opinion 
as to matters between us. I singled you out at first from 
tlie rest of women ; and I expect not to be used like a 
common lover. When you think fit to send me an an- 
swer to this without , I shall then approve myself,. 

by all BieftDf you shall command. Madam, 

your most faithful humble servant, 

JONATHAN SWIFT. 



28 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



TO THE BISHOP OF DERRY * 

Dublin Castle, July 16, 1700. 

MY LORD, 

I WAS sereni times to wait on jour lordsbip at jour 
lodgings; but joa were either abroad, or so engaged, 
tbat I coold not be permitted the houoor to attend jou. 
I have an liumble request to jour lordship, that jou 
will please to excuse me if I cannot be at the triennial 
visitation ; for, mj lordf and ladj continuatlj residing 
at the lodge, I am obliged to a constant attendance 
there. I am with all respect, 
Mj lord. 

Your lordship's most obedient, 

and most bumble servant, 

JOJ^. SWIFT. 



TO THE REV. DR. TISDALL.^ 

London, Dec. 16, 1703. 

I PUT great violence on mjsel^ in abstaining all this 
"while from treating jou with politics. I ivish jou bad 

* Dr. William King, afterward, Archbishop of Dublin. Set p. 

t The Sari of Berkeley, then one of the lords justices of Ire^ 

land. N. 

\ A Tery learned and ingenious clergyman, and Fellow of the Unb- 
yersity of Dublin. He lived in great intimacy with Mrs. Johnsoo 
and Mrs. Dingley, and made proposals of marriage to the former. 
Whether it were with a view to rouse afiections in the adamantine 
heart of her admired olgect; or a reach of policy in Dr. Swift, to ac- 
quaint Mrs. Johnson, by such indirect means, tbat he had no inteli- 
iio« of CBga|in| himeelf in a narrted life ; or whether in tmth t^tre 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 20 

been here for teo days, during the highest and warmest 
reign of party and faction, that I ever knew or read of, 
upon the bill against occasional conformity, which, two 
days ago, was, upon the first reading, rejected by the 
lords. It was so universal, that I observed the dogs iu 
the streets much more contumelious and quarrelsome 
than usual ; and the very night before the bill went up, 
a committee of whig and tory cats^bad a very warm and 
loud debate, upon the roof of our house. But why 

were any artifice on either ride; is now not poisiUe to be deter- 
mined. But the lady certainly received the addressee of Dr. Tis- 
dall, acd give him all proper encouragements. It is also certain that 
Vr. Swift had so little thoughts of marriage at this time, that he 
went to the court of England during these addresses^ and wrote con- 
stantly to this gentleman, as to a person so intimately acquainted 
with Mrs. Johnson, that he frequently conveyed to her the political 
news of England through his hands. The event of this courtship ap- 
pears in Dr. Swift^s letter of April 20, 1704 ; which seems to have 
brought matters to a crisis. Mrs. Johnson discovered no repugnant 
to the match ; but still she would be advised by Dr. Switt The 
Doctor, perhaps loath to be separated from so delightful a com^nion, 
threw an obstacle in the way that was not to be surmounted. This 
gentleman had a benefice in the church, of a considerable valuer 
about 100 miles from Dublin, which required his attendance. Dr. 
Swift, in order to bring measures to a final isMie, made him an over- 
ture, that he should settle upon his wife an hundred pounds a year 
for pin-money. The lover, indeed, though extremely captivated 
witili the charms of his mistress, hesitated at this proposal, and desired 
a night*s time to consider of it ; but, next morning, contrary to ex- 
pectation, he agreed to the terms. Swiil, never at a loss for some 
uncommon flight of imagination, insisted further, that he should live 
in Dublin, and keep a coach for his wife. Dr. TisdaU had more ho- 
nour than to promise what he could not perform ; the match was ac- 
cord] ogly broken off: and in a short time after he married the Hon. 
Liettice Fortescue Alaund, third daughter of Lord Fortescue; and ob- 
tained the Rectory of Belfast, where he died in June, 1736. Mrs. John- 
fon, with aU her wit and beauty, appears not, after this period^ to have 
recdvedany proposal of marriage; Dr. Swift being universally ima^ 
gined to have been her pnutdium, her fHend, and her admirer. 
These anecdotes (collected fh>m a comparison of the Journal to Stella^ 
Oct 20,4710, with Mr. Deane Swift's Essay, p. 87) illaatrate an ias- 
portant part of our aothor's private history. JX^ 



30 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

should we wonder at that, when the very ladies are split 
asunder into high church and low, and out of zeal for 
religion, have hardly time to say their prayers ? The 
masks will have a crown moi-e from any man of the 
dther party, and count it ft high point of merit to a mem- 
ber, who will not vote on their side.* For the rest, the 
whole body of the clergy, with a great majority of the 
liouse of commons, were violent for this bill. As great 
a majority of the lords, among whoro^ all the bKhops, 
but four, were against it : the coui't and the rabble (as 
extremes often agree) were trimmers. I would be glad 
to know men's thoughts of it in Ireland : for myself, I 
am much at a loss, though I was mightily urged by some 
great people to publish my opinion. I cannot but think 
(if men's highest assurances are to be believed) that se* 
Veral, who were against tliis bill, do love the churchy 
tod do hate or despise presbytery. I put it close ta 
my Lord Peterborough just as the bill was going up, 
who assured me in the most solemn manner, that if he 
bad the least suspicion the rejecting this bill would hurt 
the church, or do kiudness to the dissenters, he would 
lose his right hand rather than speak against it. The 
like profession I had from the Bishop of Salisbury,f my 
Lord Somen, and some others; so that I know not 
what to think, and therefore shall think oo more ; and 
you will forgive my saying so much on a matter, that. 
i^ll our heads have been so full o( to a degree, that 
while St was on the anvil, nothing else was the subject 
of conversation; I shall return in two months, in spite 
s ti my heart. I have here the best friends in nature^ 
only want that little circumstanee of favour and power; 

* This accoont of the bmtle^ the harry, and tumult, whilst the Oe- 
eariooal ConfonnHy bin was dqiendiqi;, ^ ^ i>^ Urely tpwiiw ff 
oar Author's .wit an4 humour. H^ 

i Dr. Gilbwt Bunet, K* 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 31 

but nothing is so civil as a cast courtier. Pray let the 
ladies* know I had their letter, and will answer it soon f 
and that I obeyed Mrs. Johnson's commands, and wait* 
ed on her mother, and other friend. You may add, if 
you please, that they advise her clearly to be governed 
by her friends there about the renewing her lease, and 
she may have her mortgage taken up here whenever she 
pleases, for the payment of her fine ; and thai we have 
a project for putting out her money in a certain lady's 
hands for annuities, if the parliament goes on with them, 
and she likes it. 

I'll teach you a waj to outwit Mrs. Johnson : it is a 
new fashioned way of being witty, and they call it a 
bUe. You must ask a bantering question, or tell some 
damned lie in a serious manner, and then she will ao- 
awer or speak as if you were in earnest : and then crf 
you, "" Madam, there's a bite.''^ I would not have yea 
undervalue this, for it is the constant amusement in court,, 
and every where else among the great people ; and I kt 
you know it, in order to have it obtain among you, aod 
teach you a new refinement. 



TO THE SAME. 

London, Feb. 3, 1703-4. 

I AM icontent you should judge the order of friendship 
you are in with me by my writipg to you, and accord 
ingly you wSFfind yourself the first after the ladies ;f 
for I never write to any ether, either friend or relation, 
till long after. I cannot imagine what paragraph yoa 

• Mrs. JfAmaavuiMn* DtBgkT* I^> 
t Ditto. 



32 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

meaa id my former, that was calculated for lord primate ;^ 
or how 70U could show it him without beiog afraid~he 
might expect to see the rest. But I will take better 
methods another time, aud you shall never, while you 
live, receive a syllable from me fit to be shown to a lord 
primate, unless it be yourself. Montaigne was angry to 
^ee his essays lie in the parlour window, and therefore 
wrote a chapter that forced the ladies to keep it in their 
closets. After some such manner I shall henceforth use 
you in my letters, by making them fit to be seen by 
none but yourself. 

I am extremely concerned to find myself unable ta 
persuade you into a true opinion of your own littleness^ 
Dor make you treat me with more distance and respect ; 
and the rather, because I find all your little pretensions 
are owing to the credit you pretend with two ladies who 
came from England. I allow indeed the chaml>er iu 
William-street to be Little England by their influence ; 
as an ambassador's house, wherever it is, hath all the 
privileges of his master's dominions : and therefore, if 
you wrote the letter in their room, or their company (for 
in this matter their room is as good as their company) I 
will indulge you a little. Then for the Irish legs you 
reproach me with, I defy you. I had one indeed whea 
I left your island ; but that which made it Irish is spent 
and evaporate, and I look upon myself now as upon a 
new foot Tou seem to talk with great security of 

* Dr. Narcissus Marsb, of whom Swift entertained no very favoura- 
ble opinion, and whose eharacter he drew with much severity, was 
made Bishop of Ferns, Feb. 27, 1682; translated to Dublin, May 24, 
1604; to Armagh, Feh. 18, l702 ; and died in 1713. By two of his 
private letters, dated Sept. ^, 1703, and June 16, 1704-5, (preserved 
among Bishop Gibson^s manuscript papers in the Lambeth library, 
1. 56. 95.) it appears that he was jealous of Archbishop King's endea- 
vouring to procure to himself a Uecnue to pteride iR the CofiTOcath>n» 
,«Bd iBvadiDg the preiideacy. N. ... 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 33 

your establishment near the ladies ; though perhaps, if 
you knew what tbey say of you in their letters to me, 
you would change your opinion both of them and yourself. 
A bite !* — And now you talk of a bite, I am ashamed of 
the ladies* being caught by you, when I had betrayed 
you, and given them warning. I had heard before of 
the choking, but never of the jest in the church : you 
may find from thence that women's prayers are thingi 
perfectly by rote, as they put on one stocking after ano- 
ther, and no more. But, if she be good at bluoden^ 
she is as ready at comeoffs ; and to pretend her senses 
were gone, was a very good argument she had them 
about her. You seem to be migDty proud (as you have 
reason if it be true) of the part you have in the ladiei' 
good graces, especially of her you call the party. I am 
very much concerned to know it ; but, since it is an 
evil I cannot remedy, I will tell you a story. A cast 
mistress went to her rival, and expostulated with her for 
roblnng her of her lover. After a long quarrel, finding 
no good to be done ,• •* Well," says the abdicated lady, 
** keep him, and ***'* *** ♦* **** **♦*."—" No,** 
says the other, that will not^be altogether so convenient; 
however, to oblige you, I will do something that is very 
near it** — DixLj 

I am mightily afraid the ladies are very idle, and do 
not mind their book. Pray put them upon reading ? 
and be always teaching something to Mrs. Johnson, be- 
cause she is good at comprehending, remembering, and 
retaining. I wonder she could be so wicked as to let 
the first word she could speak, after choking, be a pun. 
I differ from you ; and believe the pun was just com- 

* Alladiog to his fonner letter. N. 

f Dr. Swift, it must be acknowledged, has bere adopted too much 
of the plan of Montaigne, which he mentions in the beginning of thif 
letter. N. 



34 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

iog up, but met with the crumbs, and ,so, struggling for 
the wall, couki neither of them get by, and at last came 
both out together. 

It is a pleasant thing to hear you talk of Mrs. Ding- 
ley's blunders, when she has sent me a list with above a 
dozen of yours, that have kept me alive, and I hope 
will do so till I have them again from the fountain head. 
I desire Mrs. Johnson only to forbear punning^ after 
.the Finglas rate when Dillyf was at home. 

I thank you for your bill, which was a cunning piece 
of civility to prevent me from wanting. However, I 
shall buy hats for you and Tom Leigh: for I have 
lately a bill of twenty pounds sent me for myself, and 
shall take up ten more here. I saw Tom Leigh's bro- 
.ther in the court of requests, and, knowing him to be 
J^our friend, I talked with him ; and we will take some 
occasion to drink your health together, and Tom Leigh^s. 
I will not buy you any pamphlets, unless you will be 
piare particular in telling me their names or their na- 
tures, because they are usually t!ic vilest things in na- 
ture. Leslie has written several of late, viplent against 
.presbyterians and low churchmen. If I had credit 
enough with you, you should never write but upon some 
worthy subject, and with long thought. But I look 
npon you as under a terrible mistake, if you imagine 
you cannot be enough distinguished without writing for 
the public. Preach, preach, preach, preach, preach, 
preach ; that is ceitainly your talent ; and you will 
some years hence have time enough to be a writer. I 
tell you what I am content you should do : choose any 
4Bubject you please, and write for your private diversion, 

* Dr. Tisdall, whom his friends used familiarly to call Black Tis- 
dall, was author of *^ Tom Pun-sibi metamorphosed, or the Giber 
jibed;** a satire against Swift and SheridaB,ia the Gulliveriana. N. 

f The Rev. Dillon Ashe. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 35 

ox by vf9j of trial ; but be not liasty to vrite for 
the world. Besides, who that has a spirit would write 
iti such a scene as Ireland ? You and I will talk an 
hour on these matters. [Pox on the dissenters and inde- 
pendents ! I would as soon trouble vaj head to write 
against a louse and a flea. I tell you what ; I wrote 
against the bill that was against occasional conformity ^^ 
but it came too late by a day, so I would not print it. 
But you may answer it if you please ; for you know 
you and I are whig and tory-.^ And, to cool your in- 
solence a little, know that the queen and court, and 
house of lords, and half the commons almost, are whigB{ 
and the number daily increases.^} 
• I desire my humble service to the primate, whom I 
liave not written to, having not had opportunity to peiw 
{orm that business he employed me in ; but shall sood, 
flow the days are longer. We are all here in great im- 
jBtiepce at the ^ing of Spain's delay, who yet cootiouea 
in the Isle of Wight.]: 
My Jiumble service to Dean By ves, Dillyr JoQes,^ 

'• * Dr. Tisdall ^vras^a zealous o)iarch*tory ; and used to entertahi 
Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Dlngley with convocation disputes. See 
Jotirnal to Stella, Oct. 20, 1710. 

f The Tines included in these hooks were printed in one of the 
-tsrly editions, and there called, " Part of a Letter.*' Perfaapt 
they were taken from the Dean*s first draught. They were introda- 
«ed. by the following sentence, which Swift seems to have dropt for 
the sake of enlarging on his first thoughts: ** I have been 90 long and 
■D freqiientiy pursued with a little paltry ailment of a noise in my 
cars, that I could never get humour and time to answer your letter." 

X The Archduke Charles arrived at Spithead, in his way from Hol- 
land to Portugal, Dec. 2G, ]7o3. By invitation from Queen Anne, lie 
visited her rajyesty at Windsor on the 29th. On the 31st he went to 
the seat of the duke of Somerset at Petworth in Sussex ; and set sail 
for Portugal, Jan. 5^ but, being driven back by contrary winds, it 
jras the27Ui of February before he arrived at Lisbon. N. 
' ) See an anecdote of Deaa Jones, in Dr. Kin^*s Works, \ti 177^ ^ 
70l, ii. p. 2iK?. N, 



36 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

and other friends And I assure you nobody can possi-" 
bly be more, or, I believe, is half so entirely, yours, as 

JON. SWIFT. 



TO THE SAME. 

London, April 20, 1 704. 

Testsrdat, coming from the country, I found jour 
letter, which had been four or five days arrived, and by 
neglect was not forwarded as it ought. You have got 
three epithets for my former letter, which I believe are 
all unjust : you say it was unfriendly,, unkind, atid «»- 
oficouMtahle, The two first, I suppose, may pass but for 
jone, saving (as Capt. FluelHu says, the phrase is) a little 
variation, I shall therefore answer those twa as I can^ 
and for the last, I return it you again by these present^ 
assuring you, that there is more uuaccountability in your 
letter's little finger, than in mine's whole body. And 
one strain I observe in it, which is frequent enough ; 
you talk in a mystical sort of way, as if you would have 
me believe I had some great design, and that you had 
found it out : your phrases are, '* that ray letter had the 
effect you judge I designed ; that you are amazed to re- 
flect on what you judge the cause of it; and wish it may 
be in your power to love and value me while you live," 
&c. In answer to all this, 1 might with good pretence 
enough talk starchly, and afTect ignorance of what you 
would be at ; but my conjecture is, that you think I ob- 
structed your inclinations to please my own, and that my 
intentions were the same with yours. In answer to aH 
which, I ,will upon my conscience and honour tell yo^ 
the naked truth. First, I think I have said to }'ou be- 
fore, that if my fortunes and humour served me to think 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 3T 

•f that state, I should certainly, among all persons on 
earth, make your choice ; becailse I never saw th^t per- 
son whose conversation I entirely valued but hers ; this 
was the utmost I ever gave way to. And, secondly, I 
must assure you sincerely, that this regard of mine never 
once entered into my head to be an impediment to you ; 
but I juds;ed it would, perhaps, be a clog to your rising 
in the world ; and I did not conceive you were then rich 
enough to make yourself and her happy and easy. But 
that objection is now quite removed by what you have 
at present ; and by the assurances of Eaton's livings. I 
told you indeed, (iiat your authority was not sufficient 
to make overtures to the mother, without the daughter's 
giving me leave under her own or her friend's hand, 
which, I think, was a right and a prudent step. How- 
ever, I told the mother immediately, and spoke with all 
the advantages you deserve. But the objection of yqur 
fortune being removed, I declare I have no other ; nor 
flbail any consideration of my own misfortune of losing 
so good a friend and companion as her, prevail on me, 
against her interest and settlement in the world, since it 
is held so necessary and convenient a thing for ladies to 
marry ; and that time takes off from the lustre of virgins 
la all other eyes but mine. I appeal to my letters to 
herself whether I was your friend or not in the whole 
concern; though the part I designed to act in it was 
purely passive, which is the utmost I will ever do in 
things of 4his nature, to avoid all reproach of any ill 
consequence, that may ensue in the variety of worldly 
accidents. Kay, I went so far both to her mother, her- 
self and I think to you, as to tl^ink it could not be de- 
cently Inroken ; since I supposed the town had got it 
in their tongues, and therefore I thought it could not 
miacarry without some disadvantage to the lady's credit. 
I have always described her. to you is a manner difib*- 



I 

38 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

ent from those, who would be discouraglDg^; and must 
add) that though it has come in my way to converse with 
persons of the first rank, and of that sex, more than is 
usual to men of my level, and of our function ; yet I 
have no where met with an humour, a wit, or conversa- 
tion so agreeable, a better portion of good sense, or a 
truer judgment of men and things, I mean here in £n^ 
land; for as to the ladies of Ireland, I am a perfect 
stranger. As to her fortune, I think you know it al- 
ready ; and if you resume your designs, and would have 
farther intelligence, I shall send you a particular ac- 
count 

I give you joy of your good fortunes, and envy very 
much your prudence and temper, and love of peace 
and settlement ; the reverse of which has been the great 
uneasiness of my life, and is likely to continue so. And 
what is the result ? En quels cansevimus agros ! I find 
nothing but the good words and wishes of a decayed 
ministry, whose lives and mine will probably wear out 
before they cau serve either my little hopes, or their own 
jimbitioD. Therefore I am resolved suddenly to retire, 
like a discontented courtier, and vent myself in study 
and speculation, till my own humour, or the scene here^ 
shall change. * 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING.* 

7Vtiii,I>^. 31, 1704. 
Bpr iiOBD, 

I Did intend to have waited on your grace before 
you went for England ; but, hearing your voyage b 

• Dr. WUliui King, Ardibidiop of Dublin, 1702— 172Z. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 3(1 

fixed for the first opportunity of the wind, I could not 
forbear giving you a few minutes interruption, which I 
hope your gi*ace will believe to be without any other 
design than that of serving you. I believe your grace 
may have heard, that I was in England last winter, 
when the dean and chapter of Christ Church had, I 
think, with great wisdom and discretion, chosen a most 
miklicious, ignorant, and headstrong creature to repre- 
sent them 9 wherein your grace cannot justly tax their 
prudence, since the cause'^ they are engaged in is nol 
otherwise to be supported. And I do assure your 
grace (which perhaps others may have been cautious io 
telling you) that they have' not been without success* 
For not only the general run in Doctors Commons was 
wholly on their side, which my Lord Bishop of Cloynet 
observed as well as I; but that little instrument of 
ihem did use all his power to misrepresent your grace^ 
and your cause, both in town and city, as far as his naiw 
row sphere could reach. And he spared not to say, that 
your grace had personal resentment against him ; that 
yoa sought his ruin, and threatened him with it. And I 
remember, at a great man's table, who has as much infiu* 
eoce in England as any subject can well have, after din- 
ner came in a master in chancery, whom I had before 
observed to be a principal person in Doctors Commons, 
when your grace's cause was there debating ; and, upon 
occasion of being there, fell into discourse of it, whereia 
he seemed wholly an advocate for Christ Church ; for aH 
his arguments were only a chain of misinformations, 
which he had learned from the same hand ; insomuch, 

* A lawsuit between the Archbiihop of Dublin and the Dean and 
Chapter of the Cathedral of Christ Church, Dublin, about his right 
of visiting them, which was given in favour of his grace. B. 

f Dr. Charles Crow, 1702-1726. N. 



40 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

that I was f(»t;ed to give a character of some persoss, 
which otherwise I should liave spared, before I could 
set him right, as I also did in the affair of the late 
Dean of Derry,^ which had beeu told with so many 
falsehoods and disadvantages to your grace, as it is hard 
to imagine. 

I humbly presume to say thus much to your grace, 
that, knowing the prejudices that have been given, you 
may more easily remove them, which your presence 
will infallibly do. 

I would also beg of your grace to use some of your 
credit toward bringing to a good issue the promise the 
queen made,~at my Lord Bishop of Cioyne's interces-' 
sion, to remit the first fruits and tenths of the clergy ; 
ilnless I speak ignorantly, for want of information, and 
that it be a tiling already done. But what I would 
mind your grace of is, that the crown ront should be 
added, which is a great load upon many poor livings, 
and would be a considerable help to others. And, I am 
confident, with some reason, that it would be easily 
granted ; being, I hear, under a thousand pounds a 
year, and the queen's grant for England being so much 
more considerable than ours can be at best I am very 
certain, that, if the Bisliop of Cloyne had continued to 
solicit it in England, it would easily have passed : but, 
his lordship giving it up wholly to the Duke of Or- 
mond,''^ I believe it has not been thought of so much as 
it ought. I humbly beg your grace's pardon for the 
baste and hurry of this, occasioned by that of the post, 
, which is not very regular in this country ; and, implore 
Ing your blessing, and {H-aying to God for your good 

• Dr. Bolton. N. 

i Lord Lieotenant of -IrelaDd. N. 



J 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 41 

voyage, success, and return, I humbly kiss your grace's 
bands, and remain, my lord. 

Tour grace's most obedient, 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



FROM THE EARL OF BERKELEY.* 

Crcarfurd, Friday Night, 1 706-7. 

I HOPK you continue in the miudof coming hither 
fo-morrow ; for upon my sincerity,, i^ich is more than 
most people's, I shall be heartily glad to see you as 
much as possible before you go to Ireland. Whether 
you are or are not for Cranford,t I earnestly entrea 
you, if you have not done it already, that you would 
not fail of having your bookseller enable the Arch- 
bishop of Tork:^ to give a book§ to the queen ; for with' 
Mr. Nelson,!! I am entirely of opinion, that her ma« 
jesty's reading of that book of the project for the. in- 
crease of morality and piety, may be of veiy great use 
to that end. 

* He had been envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the 
States General in 1689; and in 1699 and 1700 one of the lords Justices 
oT Frdand, where Dr. Swift had been his chaplain. This letter is 
endorsed by Dr. Swift, '' Qld £arl of Berkeley , about 1706 or 1707.*^ 
He died Sept. 24, 1710. N. 

f Where a portait of the Dean is still preserved. N. / 

X Dr. John Sharpe, 1691-1713. N. 

\ 8wift*s Prcjcct for the Advancement of Religion, and the Refor- 
mation of Manners. N. 

II Robert Nelson, E^q. the worthy and pioas author of many ex- 
cellent religioiM publications. N. 

Toil. XT. C 



42 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

London, Feb. 5, ITOT-S. 

MY LORD, 

I Have been above a month expecting the represeo- 
taiioQ your grace was pleased to promise to send me, 
which makes me apprehend jour grace has been hin- 
dered bj what jou complained o^ the clergy's I>ack- 
wardness in a point so very necessaiy to their service; 
and it is time ill lost at this juncture, while my lord 
lieutenant* is here, and in great credit at court, and 
would perhaps be more than ordinarily ready to serve 
the church in Ireland. If I have no directions from 
your grace by the end of this month, I shall think of 
my return to Ireland against the 25th of March, to eu'' 
deavour to be chosen to the living of St. Nicholas, as I 
have been encouraged to hope ; but would readily re- 
turn at a week's warning, to solicit that affair with my 
lord lieutenant while he stays here, or in any other man- 
ner your grace will please to direct. 

Tour grace knows long before this, that Dr. Millesf 
is Bishop of Waterford. The court and Archbishop 
of Canterbury}: were strongly engaged ibr another per- 
son, not much suspected in Ireland, any more than 
the choice already made was, I believe; either here or 
there. 

* Thomas Herbert Earl of Pembroke. N. 

f Dr. Thomas MUles was rimde Bishop of IValerford, May 11, 
1707, and contiDued in that see till his death, in 1740. He was uncle 
to Dr. Pococke (bishop saccessivelj of Osaory and of Meatli,) autlior 
pf " Travels to the East," who died in 1765 j and uncle to Dr. Jere- 
miah Milles, the late Dean of Exeter, and President of the Society of 
Antiquaries, to whom Bishop Milles left the whole of his fortiinr. IV. 

X Dr. Thomas Tenisoo. K. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 43 

The two houses are still busy in Lord Peterborough's 
affair, which seems to be little more than an amuse- 
inent, which it is conceived might at this time be spared, 
considering how slow we ai-e said to be in our prepara- 
tions; which, I believe, is the only reason why it was 
talked the other day about the town, as if there would 
be sooo a treaty of peace. There is a report of my 
Lord Gal way's death, but it is not credited. It is a 
perfect jest to see my Lord Peterborough, reputed as 
great a whig as any iu England, abhorred by bis own 
party, and caressed by the tories. 

The great question,^ whether the number of men iu 
Spain and Portugal, at , the time of tlie battle of Al- 
manza, was but 8,600, when there ought to have been 
29,600, wash carried on Tuesday in the affirmative 
against the court, without a division, which was occa- 
noned by Sir Thomas Ilanmer's oratory. It seems to 
have been no party question, there being many of both 
glad and sorry for it. The court has not been fortunate 
in their questions this session ; and I hear some of both 
parties expressing contrary passions upon it. I tell your, 
grace bare matters of fact; being not inclined to make re- 
flections ; and if I were, I could not tell what to make, 
€0 oddly people are subdivided. I am, my lord. 
Your grace's most obedient^ 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



44 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



TO THE SAME. 

London, Feb. 12, 1707-8. 
Having irritten what I had of business about three 
posts ago (ivhereof I wait an answer,) perhaps it maj be 
some amusement to you for a few minutes to hear some 
particulars about the turns we have had at court. Yes- 
terdaj the seals were taken from Mr. Harley, and Sir 
Thomas Mansel gave up his staff. They went to Ken- 
sington together for that purpose, and came back imme- 
diately, and went together into the house of commoos. 
Mr. St John designs to lay down in a few days, as a 
friend of his told me, though he advised Him to the con- 
trary ; and they talk that Mr. Bruges, and Mr. Ceke» the 
vice chamberlain, with some others, will do the like. Mr. 
Harley had been for some time, with the greatest art im- 
aginable, carrying on an intrigife to alter the ministry, 
and began with no less an enterprise than that of remov- 
ing the lord ti easurer, and had nearly effected it, by the 
help of Mrs. Masham, one of the queen's dressers, who 
was a great and growing favourite, of much industry and 
insinuation. It went so far, that the queen told Mr. St 
John a week ago, ^ that she was resolved to part with 
lord treasurer;" and sent him with a letter to the Duke 
of Marlborough, which she read to him, to that purpose ; 
and she gave St. .dTohn leave to tell it about the town, 
which he did without any reserve ; and Harley told a 
friend of mine a week ago, thai he was never safer in fa- 
vour or employment On Sunday evening last, the lord 
treasurer^ and Duke of Marlborough went out of the 
council ; and Harley delivered a memorial to the queen, 

/ • Sidnex Lord Godolphin. If. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 45 

relatiog to the eiuperor and the war. Upon which the 
Duke of Somerset rose, and said, "if her majesty sufTei- 
ed that fellow (pointing to Harley) to treat affairs of the 
war without advice of the general, he could not serve 
her ;" and so left the council. The Earl of Pembroke, 
though in milder words, spoke to the same purpose : so 
did most of the lords: and the next day the queen was 
prevailed upon to turn him out, though the seals were 
Dot delivered till yesterday. It was likewise said, that 
Mrs. Masham is forbid the court ; but this I have no as- 
surance of. Seven lords of the whig party are appoint^ 
cd to examine Greg^, who lies condemned in Newgate ; 
and a certain lord of the council told me yesterday, that 
there are endeavours to bring in Harley as a party in 
that business, and to carry it as far as an impeachment. 
AiU this business has been much fomented by a lord 
wbom Harley had been chiefly instrumental in impeach-^ 
iqg some years ago. The secretary always dreaded hiiii» 
md made all imaginable advances to be reconciled, but 
could never prevail ; .which made him say yesterday to 
some who told it to me, " that he had laid his oeck un- 
der their feet, and they trod upon it.'^ I am just going 
this mof ning to visit that lord, who has a veiy free way 
of telling what he cares not who hears ;'' and if I can 
learn any more particulars worth telling, you shall have 
them. I never in my life saw or heard such divisions 
and complications of parties as ther^ have been for some 
time ; you sometimes see the extremes of whig and tory^ 
driving on the same thing. I have heard the chief whigs 
blamed by their own party for want of moderation, and I 
know a whig lord in good employment who voted with 
the highest tories against the court, and the ministry, 
with whom he is nearly allied. My Lord Peterborow's 
affair^ is yet upon the anvil, and what they will beat it 

* See the preceding letter. N» 



46 LETTERS TO AJSTD FROM 

out to, DO man can tell. It is said that Harley bad laid 
a scheme for an entire new ministry, and the men are 
named to whom the several employments were to be 
given. And though his project has miscarried, it is 
reckoned the greatest piece of court skill that has been 
acted there many years.-*— I have heard nothing since 
morning, but that the attorney^ either has laid down, tt 
will do it in a few days. 



FROM MR. ADDISON. 



Feb. 29, 1 707-& 



SIR, 



Mr. Frowdef tells me, that you design me the honoi^ 
of a visit to-moiTow morning but my Xiord Sunderland^ 
having directed me to wait on him at nine o'clock^ I 
shall take it as a particular favour, if you will give me 
your company at the George in Pall Mall aliout two§ in 
the afternoon, when I may hope to enjoy your conversa- 
tion more at leisure, which I set a very great valu^ 
upon. I am, sir, 

Your most obedient humble servant, 

J.ADDISON. 

Mr. Steele and Frowde will dine with us. 



* Sir Simon Harcourt, knight, then attorney general, afterward9 
Lord Harcourl. N. 

f Philip Frowde, Esq. son of Ashburnham Frowde, Esq. comptroUer 
of the foreign Office at the post office. He was the author of two 
tragedies, and was much beloved for his genius and learning, and the 
amiableness of his character. B. 

I To whom Mr. Addison was secretary . B. 

i Then the fashionable hoor'for dining. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 47 



TO DR. STERNE.* 

London^ April 1 5, 1 70S. 

■ SIR, 

I T¥OND£R whether in the midpt of your biiildiDgs, you 
ever consider that I have broke my shius, and have 
been a week confined, thb charming weather, to my 
chamber, and cannot go abroad to hear the uightingaleF^ 
or pun with my Lord Pembroke. Pug is veiy well, and 
likes London wonderfully, but Greenwich belter, where 
we could hardly keep him from hunting down the deer. 
I am told^ by some at coiut, that the Bishop of Kildaref 
is utterly bent upon a removal on this side, though it be 
4oSt. Asaph: and then the question must be, whether 
Dr. Pratt will be dean of St. Patrick's, minister of St. 
Catherine's, or provost ? For I tell you a secret, that 
tbe queeu is resdved the ne&t promotion shall be to one 
of Dublin education : this she told the lord lieutenant 
Your new Waterford bishop| franks his letters, which no 
bishop does that writes to me ; I suppose it is some pe« 
culiar privilege of that sec. The dissenters have made 
very good use here of your frights in Ireland upon the. 
intended invasion ; and the aichbishop writes me word, 
that the addiess of Dublin city will be to the same pur- 
pose, which I think the clergy ought to have done their 
best to prevent, and I hope they did so. Here has the 
Irish speaker§ been soliciting to get the test clause re- 

* Dean of St. Pairiek^s, Diiblio ; and afterward Bishop of Clog- 
ber. N. 

f Dr. William Ellis. He continued at Kildare from 1705, till 
1731. N. 

tDr. Millcs. Scebefore, p. 42. N. 

\ Alan Broderick, Esq. afterward Ix)rd Chancellor of Ireland, and 
ereatcd Lord Moleewortb . H . 



48 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

pealed by an act here^ for which I hope he^will be im- 
peached when your parliament meets again, as well as 
fbr some other things I could mention. I hope you will 
be of my opinion in what I have told the archbishop 
about those addresses. And if his grace and clergy of 
the province send or address, I desire I may present it, 
as one of the chapter, which is the regular way ; but I 
beg you will endeavour among you, that the church of 
Ireland gentlemen may send an address to set the queen 
tnd court right about the test ; which every one liere is 
of opinion you should do; or else I have to fear it will 
be repealed here next session; which will be of terrible 
consequence, both as to the thing and the manner, b^ 
parliament here interfering in things purely of Ireland, 
that have no relation to any interest of theirs. 

If you will not use me as your book-buyer, make use 
•f Sir AndrewFountaine, who sends you his humble ser- 
vice, and will carry over a cargo as big as you please 
toward the end of summer, when he and I intend my 
lord lieutenant* shall come in our company without 
fail, and Jn spite of Irish reports, that say we shall come 
BO more. 

I reckon by this time you have done with masons 
^d carpenters, ^tid are now beginning with upholster- 
jsrs, wiUi whom you mfy go on as sl^w and soberly as 
jou please. 

But pray keep the garden till I come. 
I am, sir, , 

Tour most faithful humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

Direct the enclosed, and deliver it to the greatest 
person in your neighbourhood. 

• TkovAs Earl of Pembroke. H. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 4a 



TO THE SAME. 

June^ 1708. 
Sir, 

I WRIT to jou some weeks ago, and enclosed (as 
DOW,) a letter to your neighbour. But I fear it was 
kidnapped by sbme privateer, or else you were lazy or 
forgetful ;' or which is full as good, perhaps it had no 
need of an answer, and I would not for a good deal,, 
that the former had miscarried, because the enclosed 
was wonderfully politic, and would have been read to 
you, as this, I suppose, wjll, though it be uot half sa 
profound. Kow are jou gone some hummer ramble, 
and will not receive this in a -fortnight; nor send the en* 
closed to as much more. I have often begged you 
would let me buy you one fifty pounds i^orth of books;, 
but now I have been here so long, I believe you will 
have reason to apprehend I may sink the money. Sir 
Andrew Fountaiue* will never be satisfied till he gets 
into tbe little room,, with the three Ashes, the bishop of 
KiUalaf and myself, to be happy at the expense of youc 
wine and conversation.. 

Here is a nghi of two girls joined together at the 
back, which, in the newsmonger's phrase, causes a great 
many speculations; and raises abundance of questions 
ID divinity, law, and physic.} The boys of our town 
are mighty happy, for we are to have. a beheading next 

• Ih. Swift, ia 1708, Qsed to lodge with Sir Andrew Foontaine,' 
vbeD he was in London. Hk 

f Dr. WiUiam Lloyd, 1690-1716. N. 

X There is a particular account of thea in Ibe Fhiloiophicili 
l!nHMaclioii8 for the year 176S, rclL I. p. 311, B. 

C Z 



60 LETTERS TO AND FROitt 

week, unless the queen will interpose her mercy.** 
Here is a Itfng lampoon publicly printed, abusing by 
name at length, all the young people of quality that 
walk in the park.f These are effects of our liberty of 
the press. 

I long to know what is become of your new house, 
whether there is yet a union between that and the little 
one, or whether the work stops for want of money ; and 
you pretend it is only, that the boards may have time to ^ 
seasoh. We are still in pain for Mr. Dopping^s being 
in one of the packet boats that were taken, He and 
many mcnre have vowed never to return to England 
Again ; which, if they forget, they may properly be calF- 
ed vows written in water* 

Fray, fdr, let me hear from you some time this bot^ 
weather, for it will be very refreshing ; and I am coor 
fined by budness to this ugly town, which, at this seft- 
sQiD of the year, is almost insufferable. I am, Sir, 
Tour most faithful humble servant, 

J. SWIFX- 



TO ARCHMSHOP KING. 

Landany June 10, 1709. 
, My lord, 

I SENT your grace a long letter several weeks agt^ 
epclosed in one to the dean.t I know not whether it 

* Of £dward Lord Griffio, who had been attainted hy ootlawiy 
£c(r htgbtreaion committed ja the reiga of King William, and was, 
OQ theisth of May, 1706, ordered for execution ; but reprieved from 
time to time, till bis deatli^ B. . 

f A poem by OldiBwortb, under the title of *< St. James^3 
Park." N, 

4 Di". Sterne. H(, 



DOCTOR SWITT. 51 

<:aine to your Iiaods, having not since been lionoured 
with your commands. I believe I told your grace, that 
I was directly advised by my Lord Sunderland, my 
Lord Somers, Mr. Southwell, and others, to apply to 
mj lord treasurer,* in behalf of the clergj' of Ireland ; 
and Lord Sunderland undertook to bring me to lord 
treasurer, which was put off for some time on account of 
the invasion. For, it is the method here of great minis- 
ters, when any public matter is iu hand, to make it an 
excuse for putting off all private application. I deferred 
it some time longer, because I had a mind my Lord 
Sunderland should go along with me,* but either the 
one or the other was always busy, or out of the way ; 
however, his lordship had prepared lord treasurer, and 
engaged him (as he assured me) to think well of the 
matter; and the other day lord treasurer appointed me 
to attend him. He took me into a private room, and I 
told him my story; ** that I was commanded by your 
grace, aqd desired by some other bishops, to use what 
little credit I had, to solicit (under the direction of my 
lord lieutenant) the remitting of the first fruits; which, 
from the favourable representation of his lordship to the 
queen about four years ago, the clergy were encouraged 
to hope would be granted : that J had been told it might 
be of use, if some person could be admitted to his pre- 
sence, at his usual times of being attended, in order to 
put him in mind ; for the rest, they relied entirely on 
bis excellency's good odice, and his lordship's disposi« 
tions to favour the church," He said, in answer, ^' he 
was passive in this business : that he supposed my lord 
lieutenant wouldfengage in it, to whom, if I pleased, he 
would repeat tvhat I had said." I replied, " I had 
the honour of being welj knpv ii to his excellency ; that 

■ * Earl of Godolpliin. N. 

c 3 



52 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

> 

I intended to ask his leave to solicit this matter with bis^ 
lordship, but had not mentioned it yet, because I did 
not know whether I had credit enough to gain that access 
he was now pleased to honour me with : that upon his 
lordship's leave to attend him, signified to me by the 
Earl of Sunderland, I went to inform his excellency^ 
Dot doubting his consent ; but did not find him at home, 
therefore ventured to come : but, not knowing how his 
excellency might understand it, I begged his lordship to 
say nothing to my lord lieutenant, uniil 1 had the honour 
to wait on him agaiu.'' 

This my lord treasurer agreed to, and entering on the 
nibject, told me, ^' that since the queen's grant of the 
first fruits here, he was confident, not one clergyman in 
England was a shilling the better.'' I told him, ^^ I 
thought it lay under some incumbrances." He said, ''it 
was true ; but beside that, it was wholly abused in the 
distribution ; that as to those in Ireland, they were an 
inconsiderable thing, not above 1000/. or 1200/. a year, 
which was almost nothing for the queen to grant, upon 
two conditions : first, that it should be. well dbposed of: 
and, secondly, that it should be well received, with 
due acknowledgments; in which cases he would give his 
consent : otherwise, to. deal freely with roe, he never 
would^" I said, *' as to the first, that I wa^ confident 
the bishops would leave the methods of disposing it eur 
tirely to her majesty's breast ; as to the second, her ma- 
jesty and his lofdship m%ht count upon all the acknow* 
ledgments that the most jgrateful and -dutiful subjects 
could pay to a prinCe. That I had the misfoitune to 
be altogether unknown to his lordsl^ip, else I should 
presume to ask him, whether he udderstood any par> 
Scalar acknowledgments ?" He replied, ^ By acknow- 
ledgments, I do not mean any thing under their hands; 
btttl wiliao fur explain mysftlf tatell jw^ I 'mean beU 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 53 

tfir acknowledgments than those of the clergy of Eng- 
land." 

I then besfged his lordship " to give me his advice, 
-what sort of acknowledgments he thought fittest for the 
clergy, to make, which I was sure would be of mighty 
weight with them." He answered, " I can only say^ 
again, such acknowledgments as they ought." 

We had some other discourse of less moment; and 
after license to attend him on occasion, I took my 
leave. 

I tell your grace these particulars in his very words* 
BB near as I can recollect, i)ecau8e I think them of mo> 
ment, and I believe your grace may think them so too* 
I told Southwell all that had passed, and we agreed in 
our comments, of which I desired him now to inform you. 
He set out for Ireland this morning. I am resolved to 
aee m^ Lord Sunderland in a day or two, and relate 
what my lord treasurer said,.a8 he has commanded me ta 
do; and perhaps I may prevail on him to let me know 
his lordship's meaning, to which I am prepared to an^ 
swer, as Mr. Southwell will let you know. 

At evening, the same day, I attended my lord lieur 
tenant, and desired to know what progress he had made i 
and at the same time proposed, ^ that he would give 
me leave to attend lord treasurer only as a common so- 
hcitor, to refresh his roemor}\" I was very much sur- 
prised at his answer, " that the matter was not before 
the treasurer, but entirely with the queen, and therefore 
it was needless ;" upon which I said nothing of having 
been there. He said, '^ he had writ lately to your grace 
an qccoiint of what was done; that some, progi'ess was 
made ; but they put it off because it was a time of war, 
but that he had some hopes it would be done :" but this 
is only such an account as his excellency thinks fit to 
give^ although I sent it youi^ grace by hit orders. I 



54 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

hope that io his letters he is fuller. My lord treasurer 
OD the other hand assured me, ^ he had the papers'*^ 
(which his excellency denied;) and talked of it as a 
matter that had long lain before him, which several per- 
sons in great employments assure me is and must be 
true. 

Thus your grace sees that I shall have nothing more 
to do io this matter, farther than pursuing the cold scent 
of asking his excellency, once a month, how it goes on ; 
which, I think, I had as good forbear, siijice it will turn 
to little account. All I can do is, to engage my Lord 
Sunderland's interest with my lord treasurer, wheuever 
it is brought before him ; or to hint it to some other per« 
sons of power and credit ; and likewise to endeavour to 
take off that scandal the clergy of Ireland lie under, of 
being the reverse of what they really are, with respect 
Io the revolution, loyalty to the queen, and settlement 
of the crown ; which is here the construction of the word 
Tmy. 

I design to tell my lord treasurer, that, this being a 
matter my lord lieutenant has undertaken, he does not 
think proper I should trouble his lordship ; after which, 
Ijecommending it to his goodness, I shall forbear any 
farther mention. I am sensible bow lame and tedious 
an account this is, and humbly beg your grace's pardon ; 
but I still insist, that if it had been solicited four years 
ago by no abler a hand than. my own, while the Duke 
of Orroond was in Ireland, it might have been done in a 
month : and I believe it may be so still, if his excellen- 
cy lays any weight of his credit upon it ; otherwise, 
God knows when. For myself, I have nothing more to 
do here but to attend my lord lieutenant's motions, of 
whose return we are very uncertain, and to manage some 
personal affairs of my own* I beg the continuance o{ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 5t5 

your grace's favour, and your blessing ; and am, m\h 
all respect, 

Your grace's most obedient, &c* 



FROM ANTHONY HENLBY,* ESQ,, 

Orange, SepL 16, 1708. 
Ybsterdat the weatherglass was at 28 inches^ which 
is lower than ever I saw it ; the wind was at east, a very 
dull quarter; the garden so wet, there was no looking 
into it; and I myself, by consequence, in the spleen. 
Sefore night, the glass rose, the wind changed, the gar^ 
den dried, I received your letter, and was as well as 
ever I was in my life, to my thinking, though perhaps 
you may tliiak otherwise. The reason why your letter 
was so long a coming to my hands, was, its being direct- 
ed to me near Winchester ; and Ahesford is the post 
town nearest to me. If the officera should come to you^ 
doctor, if you want a secuiity, that your children shan't 
be troublesome to the parish, pray make use of me ; I'll 
stand for 'em all, though you were to have as many as 
the Holland countess. We have had a tedious expec- 
tation of the success of the seige of Lisle : the country 
people begin to think there is no such thing, and say. the 
newspapers talk of it to make people bear paying taxes 
a year longer. I ^on't know how Steelef will get off 
of it ; his veracity is at stake in Hantshure. Pray de- 
sire him to take the town, though he should leave the 

* or the Grange, id the Couoiy of Sootbampton, member ofpar* 
iiameut for Melcombe Regis. He was a person of great abilities and 
learning : who mixed hamour in the most serious debates. He was 
father of the lord chancellor, Robert Earl of Northington. B. 

f Then writer of the (Hactte. B. 



SQ LETTERS TO AND FROM 

citadel for a nest-e^g. I han't the honour ta know Go- 
lonel Hunter ; but I never saw him in so good company 
as youliavc put him, Lord Halifax, Mr. Addison, Mr. 
Cougreve, and the Gazetteer.* Since he is there, let 
him stay there. Pray doctor, let me know whether 
writing letters be talking to one's sel^ or talking to other 
folks : for I think the world has settled it, that talking 
to one's self, which oiTends no body, is madness ; and 
talking to other people^ which generally is not quite so 
harmless, is wit, or good breeding, or religion, or — I 
won't write a word more till you have satisfied me what 
I have been doing all this while. I am sure one need 
not have writ two pages to introduce my assuring you^ 
that I am 

Your most affectionate humble servant, 

A. HENLEY. 



FROM THE SAME. 

JVw. 2, 170S. 

SIAR'DOCTOR^ 

Though you wont send me your broomstick,! 141 
tend you as good, a reflection upon death as even Ad* 
fian's himself though the fellow was but an old farmer 
•f mine, that made it He had been ill a good while ;:_ 
and . when his friends saw him a going, they all came 
croaking about him as usual f and one of them asking 
how he did ? he rqilied, in great pain, ^ If I could but 
get this same breath out of my body, I'd take care, by 
G — y how I let it come in again.** IhiS) if it were put 

• Steele. N. 

t lltditatioB 01 a BrooBiUdCr writtn^y Dr. 8iria is 17()8. If. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. $7 

ID fine Latin, I faocj would make as good a sound ts 
any I have met with. 
I ara, 

Your most affectionate humble servant, 

A. HENLET. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

London^ Nov. 9, 1 708. 

MY LORD, 

Your grace's letter of September 7, found me io 
Kent, where I took the opportunity to retire, daring my 
Lord Pembroke's absence with his new lady, who are 
both expected tomorrow. I went afterward to Epsom, 
and returned but yesterday : this was the cause of my 
sa long omitting to acknowledge your letter. I am 
ready to agree with your grace, that very wrong repre- 
sentations are made of things and persons here, by peo- 
ple who reside on this side but a short time, converse at 
second or third hand, and on their return make a vanity 
of knowing more than tiiey do. This I have observed 
myself in Ireland, even-among people of some rank and 
quality ; and I believe your grace will proceed on much 
better grounds, by trusting to your own wisdom and ex* 
perieoce of things, than such intelligence. 

I spoke formerly all I knew of the twentieth parts ; 

and whatever Mr. D has said in hia letters about 

staying until a peace, I do assure your grace, is nothing 
but words. However, that matter is now at end. There 
is a new world here ; and yet I agiee with you, that if 
there be an interregnum, it will be,tbe properest time to 
address my lord treasurer; and I shall second it with 
nil the credit I have, and very openly ;. and I know not 



d8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

(if one difficulty lies in the waj) but it may prove ft 
lucky juncture. 

On my return from Kent (the night of the prince's* 
death,) I staid a few days in town before I went to Ep- 
som : I then visited a certain great man, and we entered 
very freely into discourse upon the present juncture. 
He assured me, there was no doubt now of the scheme 
holding about the admiralty,! the government of Ire- 
land4 and presidency of the council :§ the disposition 
whereof your grace knows as well as I ; and althougli 
I care not to mingle public affairs with the iuterest of 
so private a person as myself, yet, upon such a revolu- 
tion, not knowing how far my friends may endeavour to 
engage me in the service of a new government, I would 
beg your grace to have favourable thoughts of me^ on 
such an occasion ; and to assure you, that no prospect of 
making my fortune, shall ever prevail on me to go 
against what becomes a man of conscience and truth, 
and an entire friend to the established church. This I 
say, in case such a thing should happen ; for my own 
thoughts are turned another way, if the Earl of Berke- 
ley's journey to Vienna holds, and the ministry will 
keep their promise of making me the queen's secretary ;|| 
by which I shall be out of the way of parties, until it 
shall please God I have some place to retire to, a little 
above contempt ; or, if all fail, until your grace and the 
Dean of St. Patrick's shall think fit to dispose of that 
poor town-living** in my favour. 

Upon this event of the prince's death, the contention 
designed with the court about a speaker is dropped, and 
all agree in Sir Richard Qnslow, which is looked on as 



* George, Prince of Denmark, husband of Queen Anne. N. 
i Orford. N. \ Wharton. N. } Somers. N. 

J To the embassy at VieDoa. N. *• St NicOiolas. N^ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 50 

aaother argumeot for the scheoie succeeding. Tlib I 
had from the same hand. 

. As to a comprehension which your grace seems to 
doubt an intention of, from what was told me, I can say 
nothing : doubtless, it must be intended to come to that 
at last, if not worse ; but I believe at present, it was 
meant, that there should be a consent to what was endea-' 
voured at in your parliament last session. 

I thought to have writ more largely to your grace, 
iipagining I had much matter in my head ; but it fails, 
or is not convenient at present. If the scheme holds, J 
shall make bold to tell your grace my thoughts as for* 
merly, under cover, because I believe there will be a 
great deal to be thought of and done. A little time may 
produce a great deal. Things are now in great suspense 
both at home and abroad. The parliament, we think, 
will have no prorogation. There is no talk of the 
Duke of Marlborough's return yet. Speculative people 
talk of a peace this 'winter, of which I can form no 
prospect, according to our demands. 
I am, my lord, 
Your grace's most obedient humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 
Your grace will please to direct your commands tO 
me at St. James's coffee-house, in St. James's-street. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

Duhim, Nov. 20, 1 708r. 

REVEREND SIR, 

I HAVE yours of the 9th instant, and if the scheme of 
alteration holds, as represented, I despair of our twen- 
tieth parts is the present method ; yet I can't think it 



60 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

proper to move in any new course, till the declaratioe 
of what is iuteaded be more authentic. I have do 
good grouad for my doubt ; and yet in ray own mind, 
I make some question, whether all things will be just as 
surmised. If I find this to be so in earnest, I will then 
endeavour to obtain an address to my lord treasurer, 
which^ I suppose, has been hitherto wanting: but, if 
the matter stick on any considerations not agreeable, 
there is an end of it. To deal freely, I have very little 
hope of succeeding any way ; but it will not make 
things worse to try the experiment. 

I understand some dissenters from hence will apply 
to the parliament of England this session, to obtain ^ 
repeal of the test, and for a toleration on a larger foot 
than in England ; and that a fund is raised, and agents 
a^ppointed to solicit their affairs, by the presbyters of 
the north. I have had some intimation, that all dis- 
senters are not of a mind in this point ; the other sects, 
if I am rightly informed, being as much afraid of them 
as of us ; and that they would rather be as they are, 
than run the hazard of coming under the jus dtvumm of 
presbytery. Something pleasant enough is said to have 
happened on this cccasion. A ceilain person endeavour- 
ed to comfort them, and remove their jealousy, by tel- 
fing them they needed not to fear ; for that the greatest 
friends to dissenters, and who would be most zealous for 
toleration, never designed to establish any church, but 
only to destroy that, which had the protection of the 
laws. Whether this will give them satisfaction I can't 
tell ; but am certain, that if any have so wicked a de- 
sign, they will fail in it. 

I am often alarmed with the fears of some good men, 
who would persuade me, that religion is in danger of 
being rooted out of the hearts of men ; and they m on- 
dered to see me so >anguiue in the cause. But I tell 



DOCTOR SWIFT. €1 

them, that I believe it is with religion, as with paternal 
aifectioD ,* some profligate wretches may forget it, and 
some may dose themselves so long with perverse think- 
ing, as not to see any reason for it : but in spite of all the 
illnatured and false philosophy of these two sorts of peo- 
ple, the bulk of mankind will love their children. And 
so it is, and will be with the fear of God and religion : 
whatever is general has a powerful cause, though eveiy 
.one cannot find it out 

But I have forgot my dissenters : the reason of their 
applying in Great-Britain is, because they see little rea- 
son to hope for success here ; and if I can judge of the 
sense of gentlemen that compose the parliament, they 
never seemed to be farther from the humour of gratify- 
ing them. 

As to your own concern, you see hardly any thing 
valuable is obtained any otherwise than by the govern- 
ment; and therefore if you can attend the next lord 
tieutenant, you, in my opinion, ought not to decline 
it I assure myself that you are too honest to come oa 
ill terms; nor do I believe any will explicitly be pro- 
posed. I could give several reasons why you should 
embrace this, though I have no exception against your 
secretaiyship :* except that you may lose too much 
time in it, which, considering all things, you cannot se 
well spare at this time of the day. 

As to my own part, I thank God, I was never much 
frightened by any alterations: neither King James, nor 
the Earl of Tyrconnel, shocked me. I always comforted 
my^lf with the 112th psalm, 7th verse.t I never was 
a favourite of any goverament, nor have I a prospect of 



• To the embassy at Vienna. N. 

f '' He shall not be afi>aid of evU tidings; hit heart is fixed, trustlas 
the Lord." B. 



X2 LETTEBS TO AND FROM 

being 90, though I beKeve I have seen forty changes; 
oor would I advise any friend to sell himself to any, so 
as to be their slave. I could write some other things, 
that you would desire to know ; but pen and ink are 
dangerous tools in some men's hands, and I love a friend 
with an appetite. I am, <&c* 

W. DUBLIN. 



TO THE LORD PRIMATE.* 

MY LORD, Londcn^ Nov, 30, 1 708. 

I WRIT to you about a fortnight ago, after my return 
from the country, and gave you some account of an in- 
tended change at court, which is now finished. Care 
was taken to put Lord Pembroke in mind of the first 
fruits before he went out T)f his office ; bnt it was need- 
less, for his excellency had it at heart, and the thing is 
done, of which, I suppose, you have an account. Tou 
know who goes over chaplain ; the archbishop of Canter- 
bury, and several other bishops, and the lord treasurer 
himself solicited that matter in a body : it was thought 
absolutely necessary, considering the dismal notion they 
'have here of so many high church archbishops among 
you ; and your frlendf made no application, for reasons 
left you to guess. I cannot yet learn whether you are 
to have a new parliament ; but I am apt to think you 
will, and that it must be thought necessary. The affair 
of Drogheda| has made a noise here, and like every 

* See before, Feb. 3, 1703-4. N. 

t He means himself. Tlie archbishop had advised him to apply for 
the chaplainship to Lord Wharton, but Dr. Lambert was appointed*. 
W. 

t Some disputes in corporation aflfairs. F. . 



DOCTOR SWIFT. Q3 

thing else jm your side, is used as a handle : I have had 
it rung in 017 ears from a certain person. I' hope you 
are prepared to take off the sacramental test, because that 
will be a means to have it taken off here among us ; and 
that the clergy will be f<»r it, in consideration of the 
queen's bounty ; and that men in employment will be so 
wise as to please the court, and secure themselves ; but, 
to think there is any design of bringing the Scotch into 
offices, is a mere scandal. 

Lord Pembroke is to hare the admiralty only a few 
months, then to have a pension of 4000Z. a year, and to 
retire ; and it is thought Lord Orford will succeed him, 
and then it is hoped, there will be an entire change io 
the admiralty ; that Sir John Leake will be turned out, 
and the whigs so well confirmed, that it will not be in 
the power of the court, upon a peace, to bring the ba* 
lance on the other side. 

One Mr. Shute is named for secretary to Lord Whar- 
ton: he is a young man, but reckoned the shrewdest 
head in England : and the person in whom the presbyte^ 
rians chiefly confide ; and, if money be necessary toward 
the good work in Ireland, it is reckoned he can com- 
maod as far as 100,000/. from the body of dissenters 
here. As to his principles, he is truly a moderate man, 
frequenting the chui-ch and the meeting indifferently, 

&c.* 

The cleigy are liere in an uproar upon their being 
prorogued : the archbishop of Canterbury takes pains to 

• On this passage it has been observed hy Mr. Lusod (Duncombe's 
Collection, Append, to vol. II. p. xliii.) ** This fair character of a 
whig from Swift is so extraordinary, that it seems as if nothing but 
truth could have extorted it. It is, however, observable, that with no 
other correspondent, the extravagance of SwiljIJs humour, and the 
virulence of his prejudices, are half so much restrained, as in his let- 
ters to Dr. King. He certainly either feared or respected this pre- 
late, more than any other person with whom he corresponded.** N. 



t4 LETTERS TO AJ^^D FROM 

have it believed it was a thing done without his know- 
ledge. A divine of note (but of the wrong side) was 
with me the other day, and said, he had it from a good 
hand, that the reason of this proceeding was an intention 
of putting the parliament on examining and correcting 
courto ecclesiastic) &c 

The archbishop of Dublin^ is represented here as one 
that will very much oppose our designs ; and, although 
I will not saj that the Observator is paid for wriiing as 
he does 4 yet I can positively affirm to you, that what- 
ever he says of that archbishop, or of the alTairs of Ire- 
land, or those here, is exactly agieeable to our thoughts 
and intentions. 

Thb is all I can recollect, fit to inform you at present 
If you please, I shall from time to" time send you any 
thing that comes to my knowledge, that may be worth 
your notice. I am, &c. 



TO DEAN STERNE. 

SIR, Nov. 30, i70S. 

I RECEIVED a letter from yoti the Lord knows wheni 
for it has no date ; but I conceive it to have been a 
month ago, for I met it when I came from Kent, where, 
and at Epsom, I passed about six weeks, to divert mysell 
the fag-end of the summer, which proved to be the best 
weather we had. I am glad you made so good a pro- 
gress in your building ; but you had the emblem of in- 
dustry in your mind, for the bees begin at the top and 
work downward, and at. last work themselves out oi 
house and home, as many of you builders do. 

• Dr. WiUiam King. N. 

X This if pretty aearly faying it N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. dS 

You know, before this the great revolution we have 
had atHK>urt;^ and that Dr. Lambert is chaplain to the 
lord lieutenant : the Archbisliop of Canterbury, several 
other bishops, and my lord treasurer himself would 
needs have it so. I made no manner of application for 
that post, upon certain reasons, that I shall let you know> 
if ever I have the happiness to see you again. 

My Lord Sunderland rallied me on that occasion, 
and was very well pleased with my answer, " that I ob- 
served one thing in all new ministries : for the first week 
or two they are in a hurry, or not to be seen ; and when 
70U come afterward, tbey are engaged.*' 

What I have to say of the public, &c. will be en« 
closed,! which, I suppose, will be shown you, and you 
#]11 please to deliver as formerly. Lord Pembroke 
takes all things mighty well, and we pun together as 
usual ; and he either makes the best use, or the best ap- 
pearance with his philosophy of any man I ever knew ; 
for it is not believed he is pleased at heart upon many 
accounts. 

Sir Andrew Fountain^ is well, and has either writ to 
you last post, or designs it soon. 

Dr. Pratt is buying good pennyworths of books for 
the college, and has made some purchases that would 
set you a longing. Tou have heard our mighty news 
is:^ extremely dwindled in our last packets. However, 
we expected a very happy end of the campaign, which 
this sudden thaw and foul weather, begun here yester- 
jday, will soon bring to an issue. I am, <&c 

* On the 25th of Norember, 1706, the Earl of Pembroke was made 
•lord high admiral, the Earl of Wharton Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 
end Lord Somen Lord Preudent of the CouneiL H. 
f This was a letter, of the same date, to Archbishop King. N. 
i On the 11th of November, 1708, the Earl of Marlborough and 
Prince Eugene obliged the Elector of Bavaria to raise the riege of 
, BroHni* n* 

VOL. XT. D 



6« JLETTEKS TO AND FROM 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

IjendoHy Jan. 6, 1 70d-9. 

AY LORD, 

Before I lec-eived the honour of your grace^s of No- 
vember 20, I had sent one enclosed, &c. with what ac- 
count I could of affairs. Since that time, the measures 
are altered of dissolving your parliament, which, doubt- 
less, is their wisest course, for certain obvious reasons, 
that your grace will easily apprehend ; and I suppose 
you have now received directions about proroguing it, 
for I saw the order some days ago. I should have ac- 
knowledged your grace's letter, if I had not been ever 
Bince persecuted with a cruel distemper, a giddiness in 
my head, that irould not suffer me to write or think of 
any thing, and of which I am now slowly recovering. 
I sent yon word of the affair of the first-fruits being 
performed, which my Lord Pembroke had the goodness 
to send me immediate notice of. I seldom see his lord- 
ship now, but when he pleases to command me ; for he 
sees nobody in public, and is very full of business. I 
fancy your grace will think it necessary that in due 
time his lordship should receive some kind of thanks in 
form. I have a fair pretence to merit in this matter, 
although, in my own conscience, I think I have very 
little, except my good wishes, and frequent reminding 
my Lord Pembroke. But two great men in office, giv- 
ing me joy of it, very frankly told me, ^' that if I bad 
not smoothed the way, by ^ving them and the rest of 
the ministry a good opinion of the justice of the thing, 
it would have met with opposition ;" upon ^rhich I only 
remarked what I have always observed in courts, that 
when a favour is done, there is no want of persons ta 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 67 

cliallenge obligations. Mean time, I am in a pretty 
condition, who have bills of merit given me, that I 
must thankfully acknowledge, and yet cannot honestly 
offer them in payment. I suppose the clergy will, in 
due time^ send the queen an address of thanks for her 
favour. 

I very much applaud your grace's ^ sanguine tem- 
per," as you call it, and your comparison of religion to 
paternal affection ; but the world is divided into two 
sects, those that hope the best, and those that fear the 
vorBt : your grace is of the former, which is the wis^r, 
the nobler, and most pious principle ; and altfao«gh I en- 
deavour to avoid beiogof the other, yet upon this artid€ 
I have sometimes strange weaknesses. I compare true 
religion to learning and civility, which have ever been 
in the world, but very often shifted their scenes ; some- 
times entirely leaving whole countries where they have 
long flourished, and removing to others that w:ere before 
barbarous ; which has been the case of Christianity itself, 
particularly in many parts of Africa ; and how far the 
wickedness of a nation may provoke God Almighty to 
inflict so great a judgment, is terrible to think. But as 
great princes, when they have subdued all about them 
presently have universal monarchy in their thoughts ; 
80 jour grace, having conquered all the corruptions ia 
a diocese, and then pursued your victories over a pro- , 
vince, would fain go farther, and save a whole king- 
dom, and would never be quiet, if you could have your 
willy until you had converted the world. 

And this reminds me of a pamphlet lately come out, 
pretended to be a letter hither from Ireland, against re- 
pealing the test;*" wherein your grace's character is 
jugtly set forth : for the rest, some parts are very well, 

* His own ; lee the fowtii ToUiine of this collection. N. 



A LETTERS TO AND FROM 

and others puerile, and some facts, as I am informed 
wrong represented. . The author has gone out of his 
way to reflect on me, as a person likely to write for re- 
pealing the test, which I am sure is verj unfair treat- 
ment. This is all I am likelj to get by the company I 
keep. I am used like a sober man with a drunken 
face, have the scandal of the vice, without the satisfac- 
tion. I have told the ministry, with great frankness, 
my opinion, that they WQuld never be able to repeal 
it, unless such changes should happen as I could not 
foresee ; and they all believe I differ from them in that 
point 

Mr. Addison, who goes over first secretary, is a most 
excellent person ; and being my most intimate friend, I 
shall use all my credit to set him right in his notions of 
persons and things. I spoke to him with great plaim 
ness upon the subject of the test ; and he says, he is 
confident my Lord Wharton will not attempt it, if he 
finds the bent of the nation against it.^ — I will say 
nothing farther of his character to your grace at pre- 
sent, because he has half persuaded me to have some 
thoughts of returning to Ireland, and then it will be 
time enough : but if that happens otherwise, I presume 
to recommend him to your grace as a person you will 
think worth your acquaintance. 

My Lord Berkeley begins to drop his thoughts of 
going to Vienna ; and indeed I freely gave my opinioa 
against such a journey for one (^ his age and infirmities. 
And I shall hardly think of going secretary without 
liim, although the emperor's ministers here think I will, 
and have writ to Vienna. I agree with your grace, 
that such a design was a little too late at my years ; 
but, considering myself wholly useless in Ireland, and 

• i c. Takint it e£ N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT- 69 

in a parish with an audience of half a score, and it be- 
ing thought necessary that the queen should have a se- 
cretary at that court, my friends telling me it would not 
be difficult to compass it, I was a little tempted to pass 
some time abroad, until my friends would make me a 
little easier in my fortunes at home. Besides, I had 
hopes of being sent in time to some other court, and in 
the mean while the pay would be forty shillings a day, 
and the advantage of living, if I pleased, in Lord Berke- 
ley's family. But, I believe, this is now* all at au end. 
I am, my lord, with the greatest respect, 

Your grace's most obedient and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

My LorclWfaartoQ says, he intends for Irelaxkl the 
iMf^nniug of March. 



A MONSIEUR MONSIEUR HUNTER, 

GENTILHOMME ANGLOIS, a PARIS. 

London^ Jan* 12, 1708-9. 

SIR, 

I KNOW no people so ill used by your men of business, 
as their intimate friends. About a fortnight after Mr. 
Addison had received the letter you were pleased to send 
me, he first told me of it with an air ot recollection, and 
after ten farther of grace, thought fit to give it me ; so 
you know where to fix- the whole blame that it was no 
sooner acknowledged. 'Tis a delicate expedient you 
prisoners have of diverting yourselves in an enemy's 
coantry, for which other men would be hanged. I am 
considering, whether there be no way of disturbing your 
quiet by writing some dark matter, that may give the 



70 LETTERS TO AJNTD FROM 

French court a jealousy of you. I suppose, Monsieiir 
ChamiUard, or some of his commissaries, must have this 
letter interpreted to them, before it comes to your hands ; 
and therefore I here think good to warn them, that if 
they exchange you under six of their lieutenant-gene- 
rals, they^wili be losers by the bargain. But, that they 
may not mbtake me^ I do not mean as viceroy de Virgin 
niOy mms ccmme le Colonel Hunter. I would advise you 
to be very tender of your honour, and not fall in love ; 
because I have a scruple, whether you can keep your 
parole, if you become a prisoner to the ladies; at least it 
will be scandalous for a free Briton to drag two chaibg 
at once. I presume, you have the liberty of Paris, aud 
fifty miles round, ami fe*ve a rcty Mght pair of fetters 
contiived to ride or dance in, and see Yersailles, and 
every place eke, except St Germain.^ I hear the ladies 
call you already fwtreprisonnier Hunter, leplus honnete 
gar ion du monde. Will you French yet own us Britons 
to be a brave people ? Will they allow the Duke of 
Marlborough to be a great geqen^l f Or, are they all aa 
partial as their gazetteers? Have you yet met any 
French colonel whom you remember to have formerly 
knocked from his horse, or diivered at least a lance 
against his breastplate ? Do you know the Wounds you 
have given, when yon see the scars ? Do you salute 
your old enemies with 

— " Stetimus tela aspera contra, 
Contulimusque manus.'* 

Vous savez que — Monsieur d^Jddison, i^uftre bon and, 
est fait secretaire d^itat d'lrhmde ; and unless you make 
haste over, and get my Virginian bishoprick, he will 

* Then the palace of tl^e queen 4owager of James 11. an4 thep^^^ 
tender. H. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 71 

persuade me to ^ with him, for the VieDna project is 
off; which is a great disappointment to the design I had 
of displaying my politics at the emperor's court. I do 
DOt like the subject you have assigned me to entertain 
you with. Crowder is sick, to the comfort of all quiet 
people, and Frowde is reoevr h peindre, Mr. Addison 
and I often drink your health, and this day I did it with 
Will Fate,^ a certain adorer of yours, who is both a hel 
esprit and a woollen draper. The whigs carry all before 
them, and how far they will pursue their victories, we 
underrate whigs can hardly tell. I have not yet observ- 
ed ^ tories' noses; their number is not to be learnt by 
telliog of noseS) for every tory has not a nose. — 

'Tk a lossj you are not here to partake of three weeks 
frost,, and eat gingerbread in a booth by a fire u\h»i the 
Thamea Mrs. Flojd looked out with both her eyes, 
and we had one day's thaw ; but she drew io her head^ 
and it now freezes as hard as ever. 

As for the convocation, the queen thought fit to pro- 
rogue it, though at the expense of Dr. Atterfoury's dis- 
pleasure, who was designed their prolocutor, and is now 
raging at the disappointment 

I amuse myself sometimes with writing verses to Mrs. 
Finch, and'sometimes with projects for the uniting of 
parties, which I perfect over night, and burn in the 
morning. Sometimes Mr. Addison and I steal to a pint 
of bad wine, and wish for no third person but you; 
who, if you, were with us, would never be satisfied with- 
out three more. You know I believe that poor Dr. 
Gregory t is dead, and Keilf solicits to be his successor; 
but party reaches even to lines and circles, and he will 
hardly carry it, being reputed a tory, which yet he 

. * See Journal to Stella, Sept. 17, Oct. 6, 1710. H. 
I Two famous mathematicians, who published several treatises io 
^atineooeaadioastrimomf. H. 



12 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

utterly denies. We are here aioe times madder aftei 
operas than ever : and have got a new castrato from It- 
aly, called Nicolini, who exceeds Vaieotiol, I know not 
bow many bars length. Lords Somers and Halifax are 
as well as busy statesmen can be in parliament time. 
Lord Dorset is nobody's favourite but yours and Mr. 
Prior's, who has lately dedicated his book of poems to 
him : which is all the press has furnished us of any ralue 
since you went. Mr. Fringle, a geqtleman of Scotland, 
jsucceeds Mr. Addison in the secretary's office ; and Mr. 
Shute, a notable young, presbyterian gentlemaa under 
thirty years old, is made a commissioner of the customs. 
This is all I can think of, either public or private, worth 
telling you ; perhaps you have heard part or all of both, 
from other hands, but you must be content ; pray let us 
know what hopes we have of seeing you, and how soon ; 
ai^ be so kind, or just, to believe me always, 

Your most faithful, humble servant, 

JON. SWIFT. 
P. S. Mr. Steele presents his most humble service to 
you ; and I cannot forbear telliog you of your m€chancet6 
ty impute the *' Letter of Enthusiasm" to me; whea 
I h^ve some good reasons to think the author is now at 
Paris. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KiNG. 

Dublm, Feb. 10, 1708.9. 

REVEREND SIR, 

I RECEIVED yours of last January the 6th, and you 
will fiud but a sorry correspondent of me.* I have beea 
confined near two montbs thb winter, and forbid peu 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 73 

and ink by my physician ; though, I thank God, I was 
more frightened, as it happened, than hurt. I had a colic 
about the year 1690, that brought me to extremity, and 
all despaired of my life, and the news-letters reported me 
dead. It began at the same time of the year, and iht 
same way it did then, and the winters were much alike ;. 
and I verily believe had I not had the assistance of my 
old physician, Sir Patrick Dun,* I should have run the 
same course, which I could not have supported. But 
with a little physic, and the Spa and Bath waters, I 
escaped without other hardships, than keeping at, home ; 
and so much for private affairsv 

As to4he-pi^Iic, I had a letter from my Lord Pem- 
broke, wherein he told me the first-fruits and twentieth 
parts were granted, and that my lord lieutenant will 
bring over tlie queen's letter for them. I returned him 
my thanks, and as soon as the order comes, be wiU have 
a public acknowledgment* 

I have seen a letter, that passes as from a member of 
the house, &c. . I think yoiu* judgment concerning it 
ia very just. But pray by what artifice did you con- 
trive to pass for a whig ? As I am an lionest man, I 
courted the greatest whigs I knew, and could not gain 
the reputation of being counted one. 

But you need not be concerned ; I will engage you 
will lose nothing by that paper. I wish some facts had 
been well considered before vouched : if any one mat- 
ter in it prove false, what do you think will come of the 
paper ? In shorty it will not be in the power of man i^ 
hinder it from a wai*m entertainment. 

As to the test,^ I believe that matter is over for thx» 
season. I was much for dissolving this jHresent parlia- 

* This gentleman founded three professorships in the university of 
Dublin ; viz. theory and practice of phync, chirurgery and midwi^ 
ry» pharmacy and the tnuUria meiica, HI 

2> 2 - 



74 UETTERS TO AND TROPJ 

ment, and calling a new one this spring. I had a pret- 
tj good account of the future elections, which, as far as 
my acquaintance reached, were settled ; and I was sure, 
that without great force and artifice, the new members 
trould never have repealed the test; but I did not 
know what the influence of a lord lieutenant* (when well 
acquainted in the kingdom, and who kacw how to take 
his measures justlj) might have effected, and we know 
very well what force, management and timing matters 
have ; and there is hardly any thing but powerful per- 
suasions, terror, and ostentation of interest may effect^ 
especially in popular elections. And to confess the 
truth to you, I am not altogether ea^^ in that matter 
yet, especially if things take any new turn in England. 
It is whispered, but I know not by what authority, that 
the queen herself was at the bottom of what passed in 
the house of commons with you, and that the ministry 
screened her in that affair, for reasons that may be guess- 
ed at. 

I am wonderfully pleased at the good character you 
^ive Mr. Addison. If he be the man that you repre* 
sent him to be, (and I have confidence in your judgment,) 
be will be able to serve his lord effectually, and pro- 
cure himself love and respect here. I can't say it will 
Ito in tny power to do him any service ; but my good 
wishes and endeavours shall not be wanting. 

Mr. Stoughton preached a sermonf here on the 30t]i 
•f January, King Charles's mailyrdom, that gives great 
offence : the government heard it, but I was ilF at home, 
-which Dean Stertie will needs have a providence. If 
the representation I have of it be true, I am sore I 

* ThomaBf.Earl of Wharton,, had been, appointed to that post, Nov, 
20, no8. B. 

f This sennoB, preached at Christ Chureh, Dublin, was burnt hy 
flie common hangman,. Nov, 9, 1711. See SwUVb opinion of iht 
preacher, in a letter to the Lov^ Primate, March 26, 1711. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT- 1^ 

should have suspended him, if it had cost me both my 
reputation and interest. I have represented what I 
have beard of it, and have discoursed my lord chancel- 
lor about it, and told him of what consequence I think 
it to be, both to him and us, and that it should not pass 
without ceusiure. I have not as yet seen my lord pri- 
mate. Wise m.en are doing all th^y can to extinguish 
faction; and fools and elves are throwing firebrands. 
Assure yourself this had an ill effect on the minds of 
most here ; for, though they espouse the revolution, 
they heartily abhor forty-ooe» And nothing can create 
the ministry more enentiesy and be a greater handle for 
calumny, than to represent them, and those that espoused 
them, to be such as murdered King Charles I» and such 
are all, that approve or excuse it. 

As to your own affairs, I wish you could have come 
over chaplain as I proposed ; but since a more powerful 
interest interposed, I believe you had best use your en- 
deavours there f bat if nothing happens before my lord 
lieutenant comes over,, you had best make us a visitJ^ 
Had you been here, I believe something might have 
been done few you before this. The deanery of Down 
is fallen, and application has been made for it to my 
lord lieutenant, but it yet hangs^ and I know not what 
will become of it f but if you could either get into it, 
•r get a good man- with a comfortable benefice removed 
to it, it might make presfsnt provision for you. I have 
many things more to say f but they are so much of & 
piece with these I have writ already, that you may 
guess at them all by this sample. God be with you r 

•iiieB* 

WILLIAM DUBLIK. 



o3 



76 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



MR. LE CLERC TO MR. ADDISON- 

A Amsterdam, le 12 de Fevrier^ 1709. 

Je m*€tois c1odq€ rhonoeur de vous €crire, monsieur^ 
d^s le commencement de cette anuee, pour vous prier 
surtout d'une chose, qn'il me seroit important de savoir 
au plutdt. Cependant'je n'ai re9u aucune de vos 
Douvelles. J^ai appris seulement, que vous quittiez le 
poste, od vous €tiez, pour aller en Irlande en qualite 
de secretaire de mylord Wharton. Je m'en r^jouis 
avec Youss, dans la supposition, que ce dernier emploi 
vaut raieiix que le precedent, quoiqUe je sente bien, 
que je perdrai par votre ^loignement. Je ne laisse pas 
de vous souhaiter toute sorte de satisfaction dans votre 
nouvel emploi, et de prier Dieu qu'il vous donne un 
heureux succ^s en tout ce que vous entreprendrez. Je 
Tous avois pri€, monsieur, de m'envoyer le nora propre 
ct les titres de rojlord Halifax, et de lui demander 
roSme, si vous le trouviez a propos, la permission de 
lui dedier moh Tite-Live. Comme vous ro'aviez mar- 
que par Mr. Philips, que vous aviez oublie la feuille» 
qui me roanquoit du recueil de Mr. Rymer, je vous 
avois mande, que c'est la feuille 10 T. ou les 4 page«, 
qui precedent imm^diatement I'indice des noms, dans le 
Lome I. Si vous I'avez eue depttis^ &ite§ moi la grace 
de Penvoyer a Mess. Touttoo et Stuiguer, bien en- 
velopp^e, et de mettre mon addresse au dessus. Je 
suppose, monsieur, que cette lettre vous trouvera encore 
^ Londres, parce qu^on dit, que mjlord Wharton oe 
partira que vers le mois d'Avril. II ne se passe rien 
de nouveau ici dans la r^publique des lettres, qui m^- 
lite de veus Itre mand6. Les jesuites de Paris ont 
Xosdamo^ en termes tris-forts les eentiaeos du P. Hiip* 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 7^ 

iloui'o, et Toot cootraint de les r^tracter d'uoc manidre 
hooteuse. On Terra quelle en sera la suite. Je vou- 
drois pouvoir Tous dtre utile ici aquelque chose : voub 
veiriez par-la, combieo je suis, monsieur, votre trea 
humble et tres ob^issaot serriteur, 

J. LE CLERC. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

Dublin, March 12, 1708-9. 

RBVXREND SIR, 

The business of the twentieth parts and first-fruits is 
still on the anvil. We are given to understand, that 
her majesty designs, out of her rojal bounty, to make a 
grant of them for charitable tt^ and that it is designed 
this grant should come over with his excellency the 
lord lieutenant The bishops in this totrn at present 
fought it reasonable to apprise his excellency of the 
affair, and to address him for his favour in it, which ac» 
cordingly is done by this post. We have sent with this 
address the representation made at first to her majesty 
about it ; the reference to the commissioners of the re- 
venue here, and their report, together with the memorial 
to the Lord Pembroke. In that there is mention of the 
state of the diocese of Dublin, as a specimen of the con^ 
dition of the clergy of Ireland, by which it will appear 
how much we stand in need of such a gift. This we 
eould not well send to his excellency, because it is very 
long, and we apprehend, that it might be improper to 
give him so much trouble at first, before he was any 
way apprised of the matter ; but if you think that his 
excellency may judge it agreeable that it should be laid 
before bim> I entreat the favour of you to apply to my 



78 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Lord Pembroke's secretary, with whom it is, for tlic 
original, or a copy of it, and present it to my lord Heu- 
teoant, or leave it wilh his secretary. I have engaged 
for you to my brethren, that you will be at this trouble : 
and there is a memorial to this purpose, at^ the foot of 
the copy of the representation made to the Earl of 
Pembroke, transmitted with the other papers. What 
charges you are at upon this account, will be answered 
by me. 

The good impression you have given roe of Mr. Ad- 
dison, my lord lieutenant's secretary, has encouraged mc 
to venture a letter to him on this subject, which I have 
enclosed, and make you the full and sole judge, whether 
it ought to be delivei^d. I can't be competently in- 
formed by any here, whether it may be pertinent or no; 
but I may and do depend on your prudence in the case, 
who, I believe, will neither omit what may be useful^ 
nor suffer me to do an officious or improper thing. I 
mix no other matter with this, beside what agrees with 
all occasions, the tender of the hearty prayers and 
wifihes for you of, sir. 

Your, &c. 

WILL.DUBLm. 

The reversal of my Lord Slane's* outlawry makes a 
mighty noise through this kingdom : for aught I can re- 
member, the destroying of our woollen manufactory did 
not cause so universal a consternation. 

* Christopher Fleming, Baron of Slane,. haviog taken up arms for 
Kins James in 1688 in Ireland, where he was colonel of a regiment 
of foot, afterward lost his estate, and was outlawed, till Queen Anne 
reversed his attainder; upon whicih the house of commons of Ireland^ 
on the 3d of Juue 1709, unanimously resolved, that an address be 
made to the queen, ** setting forth the fatal consequences of reversing 
ihe outlawries oi persons attainted of treasoB fcH* the rebellions is. 
1688/* Lord Slane was^ in November 1713^ created by h^ BMjjeitgr 
viacouat liODgford. B» 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 7% 



A MONSIEUR MONSIEUR HUNTER. 

OENTILHOJMIME ANGLOIB, a PARIS. 

London, March 22, 1 708-9» 
Sir, 
I AM very much obliged to you for the favour of a 
kind reproach you sent me, io a letter to Mr. AddisoD, 
which he never told me of till this day, and that acci- 
dentally; but 1 am glad at the same time, that I did 
Dot deserve it, having sent you a long letter, in return 
to that you was pleased to honour me with ; and it is a 
pity it should be lost ; for as I remember, it waq full of 
the (Hei fabtdas, and such particularities as do not usual- 
ly find place in newspapers. Mr. Addison has been so 
taken up for some months in the amphibious circum* 

stances of premier c to my Lord Sunderland, and 

secretary of state* for Ireland, that be is the worst maa 
I know either to convey an idle letter, or deliver what 
he receives; so that I design, when I trust him with 
this, to give him a memorial along with it ; for if my 
former has miscarried, I am half persuaded to give hian 
the blame. I find you a little lament your bondage^ 
and indeed in your case it requires a good share of phi- 
losophy : but if you will not be angry, I believe I may 
have been the cause you are still a prison^; for I ima- 
gine my former letter was intercepted by the French 
court, when the most christian king reading one pas- 
sage in it, (and duly considering the weight of the per- 
son who wrote it) where I said, if the French under- 

• PHacipal secretirj to the £ttrt of Wharton, Lord Lieateaaal oT 
hvland. H. 



•■J.' 

to LETTER^ TO AND FROM 

stood your yaliie as well as we do, he would not ex* 
change jou for Count Tallard, and all the Debris of 
BleDheim together ; for I must confess, I did not rally 
when I said so. 

I hear your good sister, the Queen of Pomunki, waits 
with impatience till you are restored to your dominions : 
and that your rogue of a viceroy returns money fast for 
Ei^land, against the time he must retire from his go- 
vernment. Mean time Philips writes veirses in a 
sledge,"^ upon the frozen sea, and transmits them hither 
to thrive in our warmer clime under the shelter of my 

• Lord Dorset. I could send you a great deal pf news 
from the Republica Grubstreetaria^ which was never \u 
greater altitude^ though I have been of late but a small 
coutributer. A cargo of splinters from the Arabian 
rocks have been lately shipwrecked ia the Thames, to* 

. the irreparable damage of the virtuosi. Mrs. Longt 

' and I are fallen out ; I shall not trouble you with the 

cause, but don't you think her altogether in the wrong ?{; 

But Mrs. Barton is still iu my good graces ; I desigi^ 

.to make her tell me when you are to be redeemed, and 

will send you word. There's it new,^ you think I ai» 

in jest ; but I assure you, the best intelligeuce I get of . 

public affairs is from ladies, for the ministers never tell 

soe any thing ; and Mr. Addisora is nine times more secret 

. ko me than any body else, because I have the happiness 

-to be thought his friend. The company at St. James's 

coffee-house is as bad as ever, but it is not quite so good. 

The beauties you left are all gone off this frost, and we 

have gpt a new set for spring, of which Mrs* Chetwlnd 

I * Ambrose Philips, Esq. See his Lapland, and other pastorab, ia 
Iiis I^ms. H. 

• f See an account of this lady, and of her death, in a letter dated 

Dec. 26, 1711. N, 

X See in vol. xxiv. a ** Decree for ending the treaty between J)t* 
Swift and Mrs. Loog.^' N.^ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. tl 

and Mn. Worslej are the principal. The Togue of 
•peras holds up wonderfully, thou|^h ve have had them 
a jear; but I design to set up a party among the wits to 
run them down by next winter, if .true English ca« 
price does not interpose to save us the labour. Made- 
moiselle Spanheim is going to marry my Lord fltzhard* 
ing, at least I have heard so ; and if you find it other* 
wise at your return, the consequences may possibly be 
survived ; liowever, you may tell it the Paris gazetteer* 
and let me have the pleasure to read a lie of my own 
sending. I suppose you have heard, that the town has 
lost an old duke, and recovered a mad duchess. The 
Duke of Marlborough has at length found an enemy 
that dares face him, and which he will certainly jQy be- 
fore with the fii^t opportunity, and we are all of opinion 
it win be his wisest course to do so. Now the way to 
be prodigiously witty, would be, by keeping you in sus- 
pense, and not letting you know that this enemy is no- 
thing but this north-east wind, which stops his voyage to 
Holland. This letter going in Mr. Addison's packet 
will, I hope, have better luck than the former. I shall go 
for Ireland sometime in summer, being not able to make 
my friends in the ministry consider my merits, or their pi-o- 
mises, enough to keep me here : so that all my hopes 
now terminate in my bishoprick of Yiiginia: in the 
mean time I hold fast my claim to your promise of cor- 
yesponding with me, and that you will henceforward ad- 
dress your letters for me at Mr. Steele's"^ office at the 
cockpit, ii'ho has promised his care in conveying them. 
Mr. Domvil is now at Geneva, and sends me word, he is 
become a convert to the whigs, by observing the good 
and ill effects of freedom and slavery abroad. 

I am now with Mr. Addison, with whom I have fifty 
times drunk your health since you left us. He is hurry^ 

^ Afterward Sir Richard, then under secretarjr of itatc H.] 



t3 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

log awaj finr Ireland, and I can at present lengthen mj 
letter oo farther; and I am not certain whether you will 
have any from hint or not till he gets to Ireland. How- 
ever, he commands me to assure you of his humble ser- 
vice; and I pray Grod too much business may not spoil 
Ufbu honnUe homme du tnand$ ; for it is certain, which 
of a man's good talents he employs oo business, must be 
detracted from his conversation. I cannot write longer 
m 10 good company, and therefore conclude 

Your mofit foithful 

and most humble servant^ 

J. SWIFT. 



TO THE LOED PRIMATE MARSH.* 

MY LoiD, London^ March 24, 1 709. 

I AM commanded by his excellency the lord lieute- 
nant to send the enclosed to your grace, in ansMfCr to a 
letter his excellency lately received (Wmh your grace, 
and several^ bishopo, relating to the first-fruits of Ire* 
land. This will spare your grace and their lordships 
Ihe trouble of any feirther account from me. I shall 
therefore only add, that his excellency commands me to 
assure your grace of his heorty tM^naJtimiX in favour of 
the church of Ireland ; and am, with great respect, my 
lord, your grace's mast dutiful^h and mo^ obedient ser- 
vant, 

J. SWIFT, 

* Endorsed bj'Sirift, *'Copj of a letter to tlieford primate of Ire- 
land by Lord Wharton's order." N. 
f At 6rgt vrritten, some 9th«r, N. 
X In the first copy, enUrt disposition to do, N. 
( Originally, most oMUnit and most hwnbU serwaU, N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT, 8^ 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MY LORD, March 2Qj ]70d» 

I SHOULD have acknoi^leclged your's of February 1 0, 
loDg ago, if I had not stayed to see what became of the 
first*fruit8. I have likewise yoiu'^s of the 12th instaDt. 
I will now tell you the proceedings in this unhappy af- 
fair. Some time after the piince's deaths Lord Fern- 
broke sent me word by Sir Andrew Fountaine, that the 
queen had granted the thiu^ and afterward took the 
compliment I made him upon it. He likewise (I sup- 
pose) writ to the same purpose himself to the archbishop 
of Dublin. I was then for a long time pursued by a 
cruel illness, that seized me at fits, and hindered me from 
ned<lling in any business ; neither indeed could I at all 
suspect there was any need to stir any more in this, un- 
til, often asking. Mr. Addison whether he had any or<^ 
ders about it, I was % little in pain, and desired Mr* 
Addison to inquire at the treasury, whether such a grant 
bad then passed; and finding an unwillingness, I in* 
quired niyself; where Mr. Taylor assured me there 
were never any orders for such a grant This was a 
month ago, and then I began to despair of the whole 
thing. Lord Pembroke was hard to be seen, neithei* 
did I think it worth talking the matter with him.^ What 
perplexed me most was, why he should tell me, and write 
to Ireland, that the business was done ; for if the ac-^ 
count he sent to Ireland were not as positive as what he 
gave me, I ought to be told so from t(ience. I had no 
opportunity of clearing this matter until the day I re; 
ceived your last letter; when his explanation was, that 
he had been promised he should carry over the grant 
when be returned to Ireland, and that his memorial wai^ 



t4 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

BOW in the treasury. Yet, when T had formerly begged 
leave to follow this matter with lord treasurer, only in 
the form of common soliciting, he was uneasy, and told 
me lord treasurer had nothing at all to do with it : but 
that it 1(38 a matter purely between the queen and him- 
self, as I have told you in former letters ; which, how- 
ever, 1 faiew then to be otherwise, from lord treasurer 
himself. So that all I had left me to do was only the 
cold amusement of now and then refreshing Lord Pem- 
broke's memory, or giving the ministry, as I could find 
opportunity, good dispositions toward the thing. Upon 
this notice from Lord Pembroke, I immediately went t<> 
Lord Wharton, which was the first attendance I ever 
paid him. He was then in a great crowd; I told him 
my business; he said, ^he could not then discourse of 
it with me,* but would the next day.'' I guessed the 
meaning of that, and saw the very person I expected, 
just come from him. Then I gave him an account of 
my errand. I think it not convenient to repeat here 
the ^particulars of his answer ; but the formal part was 
this: " That lie was not yet properly lord lieutenant, 
until he was sworn : that he expected the same applica- 
tion should be made to him, as had been done to other 
lord lieutenants ; that he .was very well disposed," &c. 
I took the boldness to begin answering those objections, 
and designed to offer some reasons ; but he rose sudden* 
ly, turned off the discourse, and seemed in haste ; so I 
was forced to take my leave. I had an intention to of^ 
fer my reasons in a memorial 5 but was advised, by very 
good hands, to let it alone, as infallibly to no purpose. 
And, in short, I observe such a reluctance in some 
friends, whose credit I would employ, that I begin to 
think no farther of it. 
I had writ thus far without receiving a former letter* 

• •The letter of March 12, 1708-9. See p. 77. N. 



nOCTOB SWIFT. 8S 

from the archbidiop of Dublin, wherein he tells me pod- 
tively that Lord Pembroke had sent him word the fiist- 
firuits were granted, and that Lord Wharton would carrj 
oyer the queen's letter, &c. I appeal to you, what anj 
man could think after this? neither indeed had I the 
least suspicion, until Mr. Addison told me he knew 
Bothing of it ; and that I had the same account from the 
treasury. It is wonderful a great minister should make 
no difference between a grant and a promise of a grant ; 
and it is as strange that all I could say would not pre- 
vail on him to give me leave to solicit the finishing of it 
at the treasury, which could not have taken the least 
grain of merit from him. Had I the least suspected it 
had been only a promise, I would have applied to Lord 
Wharton above two months ago; and so, I belieye^ 
would the archbishop of Dublin from Irelaad; which 
might have prevented, at least, the present excuse, of 
not having had the same application ; although others 
might, I suppose, have been found. 

I sent last post, by the lord lieutenant's commands, an 
enclosed letter, from his excellency, to the lord primate. 
In answer to a passage in your former letter: Mr. 
Stoughton is recommended for a chaplain to tlie lord 
lieutenant. His sermon is much recommended by seve- 
ral here. He is a prudent person, and knows how to 
time things. Others of somewhat better figure are ad 
wise as he. A bold opinion is a short easy way to 
merit, and very necessary for those who have no other. 
I am extremely afiUcted with a cold, and cough at- 
tending it, which must excuse any thing ill expressed in 
^13 letter. Neither is it a subject in the present cir- 
' Constances very pleasant to dwell upon. 

I am, &c. * 



to L£TT£BS TO AND FROM 



FROM MR. ADDISON. 

Duhlm, April 22, AlOQ. 

9SAR SIR, 

I AH in a very great hurry of business, but cannot 
forbear thanking jou for your letter at Chester, which 
iras the only entertainment I met with in that place. I 
hope to see you very suddenly, and will wait on our 
friend the Bishop of Clogher* as soon as I can possibly. 
I have had just time to tell him, en passant, that you 
were well I long to see you, and am, dear sir, your 
most faithful, and most obedient servant, 

J. ADDISON. 

We arrived yesterday at Dublin. 



FROM THE SAME. 

Dublin Castle, June 25, 1 709. 

DBAS SIR, 

I 

I AM heartily glad to bear you are so near us. If 
you will deliver the enclosed to the captain of the Wolf, 
I dare say he will accommodate you with all in his 
power. If he has left Chester, I have sent you a bill 
according to the Bishop of Clogher's desire, of whom I 
have a thousand good things to say. I do not ask your 
excuse about the yacht, because I donH want it, as you 
shall hear at Dublin: if I did, I should think myself 

•Dr. St. George Ashe, 1697— 1717. N. 



BOCTO^iSWIFT. 8Y 

inexcusable. I loag to talk over all affairs with you, 
and am ever, dear sir, 

Your's most entirely, 

J. ADDISON. 
P. S. The yacht will come over with the acts of par- 
liament, and a convoy, abo^t a week hence, which op- 
portunity you may lay hold of, if you do not like the 
Wolf. I wUl give ordeiB ^accordingly. 



FROM THE SAME. 

Nine o*clo€ky 
[About Jvdy^ 1709.] Mimday morning, 

BEAR SIR, 

I THINK it very hard I should be in the same king- 
dom with Dr. Swift, and not haye the happiness of his 
company ODce in three days. The Bbhop of Clogher 
intends to call on you this meraing, as will your hum- 
ble servant in my return from Chappie Izzard, whither 
I am just now going. 

Your humble servant, 

J. ADDISOXr. 



FB.OM THE JSARL OF HALIFAX. 

Oct. 6, 1709. 

Our friend Mr. Addison telling me that he was to 
;vrite to you to night, I could not let his packet go 
away without telling you how much I am concerned to 
find them returned without you. I am quite ashafned 



tt LETTERS Ta AKD FROM 

for m^nBelf and my friends, to 8^ 70U left in a place a» 
incapable of tasting you ; and to see so much merit, and 
80 great qualities unrewarded bj those who are sensible 
of Uiem. Mr. Addison and I are entered into a nevr 
confederacy, never to give over the pursuit, nor to cease 
reminding those, who can serve you, till your worth is 
placed in that light it ought to shine. Dr. South holds 
out still, but he cannot be immortal. The situation of 
bis prebend would make me doubly concerned in serv- 
ing you. And upon all occasions, that shall offer, I will 
be your constant solicitor, your dncere admirer, and your 
unalterable friend. 

I am your most humble and obedient servant, 

HALIFAX. 



FROM MR. STEELE. 

Lord SuMderkuuTs Office^ 
Oct. 8, 1709. 

BEAR SIR, 

Mr. Secretary Addison went this morning out of town 
and left behind him an agreeable command for me, vis. 
to foTwai'd the enclosed,* which Lord Halifax sent him 
for you. I assure you no man could say more in praise 
of another, than he did in your behalf at that noble 
lord's table on Wednesday last. I doubt not but you 
will find by the enclosed the effect it had upon him. 
No opportunity is omitted among powerful men, to up- 
braid them for your stay in Ireland. The company that 
day at dinner were Lord Edward Russel, Lord Essex, 
.Mr. Maynwaring, Mr. Addison, and myself. I have 

*11i«prceediocletter,ofOet6. K. 



DOCTOR SWiFT. 90 

heard such tJmgi said of that same Bishop of Cloghar 
with you, that I have oden said he must be entered ad 
tundem io our house of lords. Mr. Philips^ dined with 
me yesterday ; he is still a shepherd, and walks very 
lonely through this unthinking crowd in London. I 
wonder you do not write sometimes to me. 

The. town is in great expectation from Bickerstafie ;f 
vhat passed at the election for his first table being to be 
imblished this day sevennight. I have not seen Ben 
Tooke| a great while, but long to usher you and yours 
into the woild. Not that there can be any thing added 
by me to your fame, but to walk bareheaded before 
you. I am, sir, your most obedient and most humble 
servant, 

RICHARD STEELE. 



FROM MR. ADDISON. 

St. Jameses Place, April 11, 1710. 



SIR 



> 



I HAVE run so much in debt with you, that I do not 
know how to excuse myself, and therefore shall throw 
myself wholly upon your good nature; and promise, if 
you will pardon what is passed, to be more punctual 
wttb you for the future. I hope to have the happiness 
of waiting on you very suddenly at Dublin, and do not 
.at all regret the leaving of England, while I am going to 
« pluce, where I shall have the satisfaction and honour 
irf Dr. Swift's convei-sation. I shall not trouble you with 



• Ambrose Philipi. $ee before, March 22, 1708^. N. 
f The Dame assumed by tiie author of the Tattler. H. 
t Swifl*s bookseller. Seep. 99. N. 

VOL. XV. * 



00 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

any occurreoces here, because I hope to have the plea- 
sure of talking over all affairs with you very suddenly. 
We hope to be at Holyhead by the 30tb instant. Lady 
Wharton stays in England. I suppose you know, that 

1 obeyed your's, and the Bishop of Clogher's commands, 
in relation to Mr. Smith ; for I desired Mc Dawson to 
acquaint yoii with it. I must beg my most humble duty 
to the Bishop of Clogher. I heai-tily long to eat a dish 
of bacoQ and beans in the best company in the world. 
Mr. Steele and I often drink your heaUh. 

I am forced to give myself airs of a punctual corres* 
pondence with you in discourse with your friepds at St. 
James's coffee-house, who are always asking me quea* 
tions about you, when they have a mind to pay their 
court to mie, if I may use so magnificent a phrase. Pray, 
dear doctor, continue your friendship toward me, who 
love and esteem you, if possible, as much as you deserve. ' 
I am ever, dear sir, 

Your's entirely, 

J. ADDISON. 



TO DEAN STERNE, 

WITH A PROXY FOR HIS APPEARANCE AS PREBEN- 
DARY OF DUNLAVAN, AT THE ARCHBISHOP's Vltt- 
TATION. 

«IR, LaraccTy April 17, 1710. 

You have put me under the necessity of writing you 
a very scurvy letter, and in a very scurvy manner. It 
Is the want of horses, and not of inclination, that hinders 
itt fmn attending on you at the chapter. .But I would 



DOCTOR SWIFT. f 1 

<lo it on foot to see jou* visit io your own right ; but if 
I must be visited by proxy, by proxy I will appear. 
The ladiesf of St. Mary's delivered me your commands ; 
but Mrs. Johnson had dropped half of them by the 
shaking of her horse. I have made a shift, by the assist- 
ance of two civilians, and a book of precedents, to send 
you the jargon annexed with a blank for the name and 
title of any prebendaiy, who will have the charity to 
answer for me. Those words, gravi incommodo^ are to 
be translated, the want of a horse. In a few days I ex- 
pect to hear the two ladies lamenting the fleshpots of 
€avan street. I advise them since they have given up 
their title and lodgings of St. Mary's, to buy each of 
them a palfry, and take a squire and seek adventures. 
I am here quarrelling with the frosty weather, for spoil- 
ing my poor half dozen of blossoms. Spes anni collapsa 
ruit : Whether these words be mine or Virgil's I cannot 
determine. I am this minute very busy, being to preach 
to day before an audience of at least fifteen people, 
most of them gentle, and all simple. 

I can send you no news ; only the employment of my 
parishioners may, foronemory sake, be reduced under 
these heads : Mr. Fercivall is ditching; Mrs. Percivall in 
her kitchen ; Mr, Wesley switching ; Mrs. Wesley 
stitching ; Sir Arthur Langford ricking, which is a new 
word for heaping up riches. I know no other rhyme 
but bitching, and that I hope we are all past. Well, 
sir, long may you live the hospitable owner of good bits^ 
good books, and good buildings. The Bishop of Clo- 
ser would envy me for those three Bes.i I am your 

most obedient, humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

* Dr. Sterne was then vicar geperal of the diocese of Dublin, andd 

to visit the clergy in thfe absence of the archbishop. H. ' 
f Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Dingley. N. 
t Vxg. Bits, books, and buildings. B. 



02 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



DR. SWIFT'S ACCOUNT OF HIS MOTHER'S 

DEATH. 1710. 

Mejs. Od Wednesday, between seven and eight, in 
tlie evening. May 10, 1710, I received a letter in my 
chamber at Laracor (Mr. Percivall and John Beaumont 
being by) from Mrs. Feuton, dated May 9th, with one 
enclosed, sent from Mrs. VVorrall at Leicester to Mn. 
Fenton,"^ giving an account, that my dear mother, Mrs. 
Abigail Swift, died that morning, Monday, April 24} 
1710,t about ten o'clock, after a long sickness, being 
ill all winter, and lame, and extremely ill a month or 
six weeks before her death. I have now lost my bar* 
rier between me sfnd death ; God grant I may live to 
be as well prepared for it, as I confidently believe her to 
have been ! If the way to Heaven be through piety, 
truth, justice, and charity, she is there.f 

* The DeaD^s sister. N. 

f " 1710, April 27, Abigail Swift, widow, aged 70 years, buried.'* 
Register of St- Martin's, Leicester. N. 

X This memorandum is copied from one of the account books, which 
Dr. Swift always made up yearly, and on each page entered mi- 
nutely all bis receipts and expenses In every month, beginning his 
year from Nov. 1. He observed the same method all bis life-time 
till his last iUness. At the foot of that page which includes his ex- 
penses, in the month of May 1710, at his glebe house in Laracor, ia 
the county of Meath, where he was then resident, are the above re- 
markable words, which riiow at the same time his filial piety, and 
the religious use which he thou^t it his duty to make of that mdaft- 
choly event. He always treated his mother, daring her lifie, with 
the utmost duty and affection ; and she sometimes came to Ireland, 
to visit him after his settlement at Laracor- She lodged at Mr. 
BrenVs the printer, io Oeorge^s laoe, Dublin ; and once asked her 
landlady, " l^hether she could keep a secret .^^' Who replied, '*She 
could very well.** Upon whicli, she enjoined her not to make the 



DOCTOR SWJFT. 93 



FROM MR. ADDISON. 

DEAR 6IR, Dublin, June 3, 1710. 

I AM just DOW come from Fioglass, where I have been 
drinkiug your health, aad talkiog of you, with one who 
iQves and admires you better than any man io the world, 
except your humble servapt. We both agree io a re- 
quest, that you wilt set out for Dublin as soon as posBi- 
ble. To tell you truly, I find the place disagreeable, 
and cannot imagine why it should appear so now more 
than it did last year. Tou know I look upon erery 
thing that is like a compliment as a breach of friendship ; 
and therefore shall only tell you, that I long to see you ; 
without asBUi-ing you that I love your company, and va- 
lue your conversation mcHre than any man's, or that 
i ami, with the most iuviolal>l« siocerity aird esteem, 
dear sir, .' 

Your most faithful, most humble, 

and most obedient servant, 

J. ADDISON. 

matter poblir, which she was now {oiag to commanicate to her : **l 
have a spark in this town, that I carried on a correspondence with 
while I was in England. He wilt be here presently, to pay his ad- 
dreases ; for he has heard by this time of my arrival. But I woald 
not h^ve the matter known.** Soon after this, a rap was heard at 
the door ; and Dr. dwift walked up stairs. Mrs. Brent retired ; bnt 
irflera little time, she was called ; and then Mrs. Swift iotrodnced 
lier visiter, and said, ** This is my spark I was telling yon of: this it 
my lover : and ihdeed the only one I shall ever admit to pay their 
ad d r e swi s to me." The doeior smiled at his mother*i humoar, and 
afterward paid his doty to her every day onsospeoted by Mrs. 
Brent, whom he invited some years afterward to take care of his &- 
mily afikirs, when he became Deiin of St. Patrick's. And when she 
died, he continued her daoghtler (Mrs. Ridgway, then a poor widow) 
io the sune office. N. 



94 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



FROM SIR ANDREW FOUNTAINE. 

June 27, 1710. 

I NEITHER can Dor will have patience any longer ; 

and, Swift, you are a confounded son of a . May 

your half acre turn to a bog, and may your willows pe- 
rish ; may the worms eat your Plato, and may Farvisol* 
break your snuff box. What ! because there is never a 
bishop in England with half the wit of St George Ashe, 
nor ever a secretary of state with a quarter of Addison's 
good sense ; therefore you can't write to those that love 
you, as well as any Clogher or Addison of them all. 
You have lost your reputation here, and that of your 
bastard the Tattler is going too : and there is no way left 
to recover either, but your writing. Well ! 'tis no mat- 
ter ; I'll e'en leave London. KingsmiU is dead, and you 
don't write to me. Adieu. 



FROM MR. HENLET. 

4 

t 

iiEV^END SIB, [About 1709or 1710.] 

It is reported of the famous Regioroontanus, that be 
framed an eagle so artfully of a certain wood, that upon 
the approach of the Emperor Maximilian to the opulent 
city of Nuremberg, it took wing, and flew out of the 
gates to meet him, and (as my author has it) appeared as 
though alive. Give me leave to attribute this excellent 

* The Dean*s steward. H. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 95 

iDvention to the vehanent desire be had to entertain his 
master with sometliing extraordinary, and to say with 
the poet, 

Amor addidit alas. 

I am trying a like experiment, whether I cannot make 
this composition of old rags, galls, and vitriol, fly to 
Dublin ; and if (as the moving lion, which was composed 
by an Italiao chymist, and opened his breast, and showed 
the imperial arms painted on its heart) this could dis- 
close itself, and discover to you the high esteem and 
affection I have for you, I should attain my end ; and not 
only sacrifice a hecatomb, but cry out, with extatic Ar- 
chimedes, £v^9««. 

I should not have presumed to imagine, that you 
would deign to cast an eye on any thing proceeding from 
so mean a liand as mine, had I not been encouraged by 
that character of caudour and sweetness of temper for 
which you are so justly celebrated and esteemed by all 
good men, as the delicias kumani generis f and I make 
DO question, but like your predcceflsor [an emperor 
again'^] you reckon every day as lost, in which you 
have not an opportunity of doing some act of benefi- 
cence. I wasi moreover emboldened by the adage, 
which does not stkk to affirm, that one of the most des- 
picable of animals may look upon the greatest of queens; 
as it has been proved to a demonstration by a late most 
judicious author, whom (as I take it) you have vouch- % 
safed to immortalize by your learned lucubrations.f 
And as proverbs are the wisdom of a nation, so 1 take 
naturalizing such a quantity of very expressive ones, as 
we did by the act^of union, to be one of the consldera- 



* These words are crossed over in the original. N. 
t Steele adopted in his Tattler the name of Isaac Bickerstafle. N. 



96 LETTERS^TO AND FROM 

blest advantages ve shall reap from it : and I do not 
question but the nation will be the wiser for the future. 

But I have digressed too far, and therefore resume 
my thread. I know my own unworthiness to deserve 
your favour ; but let this attempt pass on any account 
or some merit. 

In tnagnis voluisse sat est. 
And though all cannot be sprightly like F— ^, wise like 

T -rs, agreeable like B- th, polite like P — r-^dc, 

or, to sum up -all, though there be but one phoenix, and 
one Upidissimus homundoy T — p — m ; y«t, since a cup 
of cold water was not an unacceptable present to a thirsty 
emperor, I may flatter myself that this tender of my 
services (how mean soever) may not be contemned; 
and, though I fall from my great attempt, 
Spero irovar pieta non che perdono^ 
as that mellifluous ornament of Italy, Franciscus Pe^ 
trarch, sweetly h^s it. 

Mr. Crowder, I have often heard affirm, and the fine 
thinkers of all agea hav<i constantly held, that much good 
may be attained by reading of histoiy. And Dr. Sloane 
is of opinion, that modern ti*avels are very behoveful to- 
ward forming the mind, and enlarging the tlioughts of the 
curious part of mankind. 

Give me leave to speak a little from both these to- 
pics. 

In tlie Roman triumphs, which were doubtless the' 
roost august spectacles that were ever seen, it was the 
constaut custom, that the public executioner should be 
behind the conqueror, to remind him (says my author) 
from time to time, that these honoui^ were transitory, 
and could nq( secure him from the severity of the laws. 

Col. Morrison of the guards [he lives next door ta 
Tart-Hall] his father was in Yii^nia, and being like to 
be starved, the company had recourse to a learned mas* 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 6? 

ter of arts; his oame was YeDter; he advised them to 
eat one another pour passer letems^ aod to begin with a 
fat cook-maid. She had certaiolj gone to pot, had not 
a ship arrived just in the nick with a quantity of pork, 
which appeased their hunger, and saved the wenchV 
bacon. 

To apply these ; Did 70U never (when rioting in the 
costly dainties of my lord high admiral's* table, when 
the polytasted wine excited jovial thoughts, and banish- 
ed serious reflections) forget your frail mortal condition ? 
Or when, at another time, you have wiped the pohit of 
a knife, or perhaps with a little spoon taken some attic 
sale out of Mrs. F — 's cad^iat ; and, as the poet sings, 

Qui sedens adoersus identidsm 

Spedatei oudiL 
Did you not think yourself par Deo ? Fray God you 
did not^ pray God you did not think yourself ^t^p^ore 
dtvos. 

Confess the truth, doctor, you did; confess it, and re- 
pent of it, if it be not too late : but alas ! I fear it is. 

And now, methinks, I look down into that bo^ all 
flaming with bonnyclabber and usquebaugh ; and hear 
you gnashing your teeth, and crying, '^ Oh ! what would 
I give now for a glass of that small beer, I used to say 
was sour ! or a pinch of that snuff, which I used to say 
was the cursed'st stuff in the world : and borrow as much 
as would lie on a shilling the minute after. Oh ! what 
would I give to have a monitor in those moments to have 
put me in mind of the sword hanging by a twine thread 
over my head, and to have cried in a voice as loud as 
Southwell's Memento^ doctor, qida Hibemus es, et in JBi- 
bemiam reverteris /" 

Every man in the midst of his \>leasures should re- 

* Thomas Earl of Pembroke. H. 



98 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

member the Roman executiooer : and I have beeo a^ 
sured, that had it not been for tl>e unfortunate loss of 
his royal highness the pwnce,* Sir Charles Duncombej 
would have revived that useful ceremony, which 
might be very properly introduced in the lord mayor's 
cavalcade. 

I would not be mistaken either in what has gone be- 
fore, or in that which is to follow, as if I took you to be 
a belly god, an Apieius, or him that wished his neck as 
long as a craneX that he niiglit have the greater plea- 
sure in swallowing. No, dear doctor, far be it from m^ 
to think you Epicuri de grege porcum, I know indeed 
you are helluo^ but 'tis librorum, as the learned Dr. Ac- 
cepted Frewen, some time archbishop of York, was; 
and ingenii, as the quaint Dr. Offspring Black all, now 
bishop of Exeter, is. Therefore, let us return to the 
use wliich may be made of modern travels, and apply 
Mr. Morrison's to your condition. 

You are now cast on an inhospitable island : no ma- 
thematical figures on the sand, no vestigia hominnm to be 
seen; perhaps at this very time reduced to one single 
baiTel of damaged biscuit, and short allowance even of 
salt water. What's to be done ? Another in your condi- 
tion would look about ; perhaps he might find some po- 
tatoes; or get an old piece of iron, and make a harpoon, 
and if he found Iliggoa sleeping near the shore, strike 
him and eat him. The western islanders of Scotland 
say, 'tis good meat, and his train oil, bottled till it man- 
tles, is a delicious beverage, if the inhabitants of Lap- 
land aie to be credited. 

Put this I know is too gross a pabulum for one, who 
(as the chameleon lives on air) has always hitherto lived 

» Of Denmark, who ^ed October 28, 1708. H. 
't Lord Mayor of London, in 1708. H. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 09 

* 

00 wit ; and whose friends (God be thanked) design he 
should continue to do so, and on nothing else. There- 
fore, I would advise you to fall upon old Joan ; eat, do 

1 live to bid thee, eat Addison :* and when you have 
eat eveiy body else, eat my lord lieutenantf [he is some- 
thing lean] God help the while ; and though it will, for 
aught I know, be treason, there will be nobody lefl to 
hang you, unless you should tliink fit to do yourself that 
favour ; which if you should, pray don't write me word 
of it, because I should be very sorry to hear of any iH 
that should happen to you, as being, with a profound 
Tcneration, one of the greatest of your admirers, 

T. B. or any other two letters you like better. 
Pray direct your answer to me, at the Sergeant's Head 
in Cornwall ; or at Mr. Sentiment's, a patt^ carrier^ in 
Common Garden, in the Phhs. ' 



TO MR. BENJAMIN TOOKE. 

SIR, Dublin^ June 29, 1710. 

I WAS in the country when I received your letter with 
the apology enclosed in it ;| and I had neither health 
nor humour to finish that business. But the blame rests 
with you, that if you thought it time, you did not print 
it when you had it. I have just now your last, with 
tlie complete key. I believe it is so perfect a Grub- 
street piece, it will be forgotten in a week. But it is 
strange that there can be no satisfaction against a book- 
seller for publishing names in so bold a manner. I wish 

* Then secretary to the Earl of Whafton, lord lieutenant of Ire- 
land. IT. 
t Earl of Wharton. H. 
i The Apology prefixed to the Tale of a Tub. N, 



lOjO LETTEBS TO AND FROM 

8om9 lawyer <oiild advise you how I might have satis* 
faction : for at this rate^ there is do book, however vile, 
which may not be fastened on me. I cannot but think 
thai liil)e parsoQ-cousin^ of mine is at the bottom of this; 
^, having lent him a copy of some part o( &c. and be 
showing it, after I was gone for Ireland, and the thing 
abraftd, he affected to talk suspiciously, as if he had 
some share in it If he should happen to be in town, 
and you light on him, I think you ought to tell him 
gravely, ^' That, if he be the author, he should set hb 
oame to the," to. and rally Ura a little upon it : and tell 
Um '' if he ean explain some things, you wiH, if he plea* 
ses^ set his nfime to the next edition." I should be glad to 
see how far the foolish impudence of a dunce could go. 
Well. I will send you the thing, now I am in town, ao 
soon as possible. But I dare say, you have neither print- 
ed the rest, nor finished the cuts ; only are glad to lay 
the fault OQ me. I shall, at the end, take a little con- 
temptible notice ot the thing^ou sent me ; and I dare 
say it win do you niore good than hurt. If you are in 
mich haste, how came you to forget the Miscellanies ? I 
would not have you think of Steele for a publisher : he 
is too busy. I will, one of these days, send you some 
bints, .which I would have in a prefae^ and you ma7 
get some friend to dress them up. I have thoughts of 
some other work one of these yean : and I hope to see 
jou ere it be long; since it is likely to be a new worlds 
and sioce I have the merit of suffering by not comply- 
ing withAhe old. Tours, &c. 

* Mr. Thooiai Swift: see Jooraal to Stella, Nov. 7, 1711. aad see 
ibt Advertiflementto the Tale of a Tub, vol. IIL N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 101 



FROM MR. BENJAMIN TOOKE. 

SIR, fjondon^ Jtdy 10, 1710. 

Enclosed I have sent the Key, and think it wQuid 
be much more proper to add the notes at the bottom of 
Uie respective pages they refer to, than printing them at 
the end by themselves. As to the cuts. Sir Andrew 
FouHtaine has had them from the time they were 
designed, with an intent of altering them. But he is 
■ow gone into Norfolk, and will not return till Michael- 
nas; so that, I think, they must be laid aside; for, 
unless they are very well done, it is better they were 
quite let alone. As to the Apology, I was not so care* 
less but that I took a copy of it before J sent it to you \ 
so that I could have printed it easily, but that you sent 
me word not to go on till you had altered something in 
It. As to that cousin of yours which you speak of, I 
neither know him, nor ever heard of him till the Key 
mentioned hira. It was very indifferent to me which I 
proceeded on first, the Tale, or the Miscellanies ; but» 
when you went away, you told me there were three or 
four things should be sent over out of Ireland, which 
you had not here ; which, I think, is a very reasonable 
excuse for myself in all these affairs. What I beg of 
you at present is, that you would return the Apologj 
and this Key, with directions as to the placing it : al- 
though I am entirely of opinion to put it at the botton^ 
of each page ^ yet shall submit. If this be not done 
soon, I cannot promise but some rascal or other will do 
it for us both ; since you see the liberty'that is already 
taken. I think too much time has already been lost in 
the Miscellanies ; therefore hasten that : and whichever 
is in the most forwardness, I w(mld begin on first. All 
here depend on an entire alteratioii. I am, &c. 



102 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



FROM MR. ADDISON. 

DEAR SIR, Dublin Castle, July 23, 1710. 

About two days ago I received the enclosed, tliat is 
sealed up, and yesterday that of my friend Steele, -which 
requiring a speedy answer, I have sent you express. In 
the mean time I have let him know that you are out of 
town, and that he may expect your answer by the next 
post. I fancy he had my Lord Halifax^s authority for 
writing. I hope this Will bring you to town. For your 
amusement by the way, I have sent you some of this 
day's news : to which I must add, that Drs. Bysse"^ and 
Robinsonf are likely to be the bishops of Bristol and St 
David's : that our politicians 81*6 startled at the breaking 
off the negotiations, and fall of stocks; insomuch that it 
is thought they will not venture at dissolving the par- 
liament in such a crisis. I am ever, dear sir, your's en- 
tirely, 

J. ADDISON. 

Mr. Steele desires me to seal youi''s before I deliver 
it, but this you will excuse in one, who wishes you as 
well as he, or any body living can do. 



* Philip, first made Bishop of St David*8,and then of Hereford^ B. 
f John, he was consecrated Bishop of Bristol, November 19, 1710, 
and translated to the See of London in March 1713-14. B. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 103 

« 

IRISH BISHOPS TO THE BISHOPS OF 
OSSORY AND KILLALOE. 

Dublin, Aug. 31, 1710. 

OUR VERY GOOD LORDS, 

Whereas several applications have been made to her 
majesty about the first-fruits and twentieth parts, paya- 
ble to her majesty by the clergy of this kingdom, be- 
seeching her majesty, Uiat she would be graciouly pleas- 
ed to extend her bounty to the clergy here, in such man- 
ner as the convocation have humbly laid before her ma- 
jesty, or as her majesty shall in her goodness and wisdom 
think fit; and the said applications lie still before her 
majesty; and we do hope, from her royal bounty, a fa- 
vourable answer. 

We do therefore entreat your lordships to take on you 
the solicitation of that affair, and to use such proper me- 
thods and applications, as you in your prudence shall 
^dge most likely to be effectual. We have likewise 
desired the bearer. Dr. Swift, to concern himself with 
you, being persuaded of his diligence and good affection i 
and we desire, that if your lordships' occasions require 
your leaving London before you have brought the bu- 
siness to effect, that you would leave with him the pa- 
pers relating to it, with your directions for his manage- 
ment in it, if you think it advisable so to do. We are 
your lordships most humble servants and brethren, 

NARCISSUS ARMAGH. 

WILL. DUBLINIENSI& 

W. CASSEL. 

W. MEATH. 

W. KILDARE. 

WM. KILLALA. 
To the right rev. fathers in God, John, Lord Bishop of 
Ossory, and Thomas, Lord Bishop of KiUaloe. 



104 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

9fY LORD, Londany Sept. 9, 1710. 

I ARRIVED here on Thursday last, and inquiriog for 
the two bishops, I found mj Lord of Ossory^ was gone 
some time ago, and the Bishop of Kilialoef I could not 
hear of until next day, when I found h^ was set out 
early in the morning for Ireland ; so that the letter to 
then: lordships is so far to no purpose. I cannot yet 
learn whether they left any papers behind them ; neither 
shall I much inquire; and to say the truth, I was less 
solicitous to ask after the Bishop of Killaloe, when f 
beard the other was gone. 

They tell me all affairs in the treasury are governed 
by Mr. Harley, and that he is the person usually appli- 
ed to ; only of late, my Lord Foulet, upon what people 
have talked to him that way, hath exerted himself a lit- 
tle, and endeavours to be as significant as he can. I 
have opportunities enough of getting some interest with 
his lordship, who hath formerly done me good offices^ 
although I have no personal acquaintance with him. 
After which I will apply to Mr. Harley, who formerly 
made some advances towards me ; and, unless he be al- 
tered, will, I believe, think himself in the right to use 
me well : but I am inclined to suspend any particular 
solicitations until I hear from your grace, and am inform- 
ed what progress the two bishops have made ; and until 
I receive their papers, with what other directions your 
grace will desire to send roe. 

* Dr. John Harstonge wai Bishop of Ossory from 1693 to 1714. N. 

f Dr. Thomas Lindsay, Bishop of Killaloe from March 1695, was 
translated to Raphoein June, 1713, to Armagh in January following; 
and died July 13, 1724. IT. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. loa 

Upon mj arriyal here, I found mjvelf equally ca- 
ressed by both parties, by one as a sort of bough for 
drowDiDg meo to lay bold of ; and by the other as one 
discontented with the late men in power, for not being 
thorough in their designs, and therefore ready to ap- 
prove present things. I was to visit my Lord Godo!- 
phin, wlio gave me ajreception very unexpectedly, and 
altogether different from what I ever received from any 
great man in my life ; altogether short, dry, and morose, 
not worth repeating to your grace, ^ until I have the 
honour to see you. I complained of it to some of his 
friends, as haviz^, as I thought, for some reasons, de- 
served much the contrary from his lordship : they said, 
to excuse him, that he was overrun with spleen and pee* 
inshnesB upon the present posture of affairs, and used 
Bobody bettei\ It may be new to your grace to tell 
7011 some circumstauees of his removal. A letter was 
lent him by the groon of the queen's stidoles, to dedre 
he would break his staf^ which would be the easiest 
vay, both to her majesty and him. Mr. Smith, cban* 
ceUor of the exchequer, happening to come in a little 
after, mj lord lm>ke bis staf^ and fiung the pieces iA 
Ae chiffloey, desiring Mr. Smith to be witness that be 
kad obeyed the queen's commands ; and sent him to the 
|fteen with a letter and a message, which Mr. Smith de* 
ivif^red, and at the same time surrendered up his own 
aftce« Tlie parliament is certainly to be dissolved, al« 
liough the day is yet uncertain. The remainder of 
irhigs in employment are resolved not to resign ; and a 
certain lord told me, he had been the giver of that ad- 
rice, and did in my presence prevail on an acquaint- 
toce c^ mine in a great post to promise the same thing ; 
«ly Mr. Boyle,* they say, is resolved to give up« 

* Toongest ton of Charles, Lord Clifibrd. He was appointed 
haoceUor of the exchequer to King William in March, 1701 ; and 



106 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Every body counts iofailiblj upon a general rexnoTal. 
The Duke of Q^ueensbury, it is said, vfiW be steward ; 
my Lord Cholmondeley is gone over to the new interest, 
ivith great indignation of his friends. It is affirmed by 
the tories, tliat the great motive of these changes v as 
the absolute necessity of a peace, ivhich they tliought 
the whigs were for perpetually ilclaying. Elections 
are now managiug with greater violence and expense, 
and more competitors, than ever was known ; yet the 
iown is much fuller of people than usual at this time of 
the year, waiting till they see some issue of the matter. 
The Duke of Ormond is much talked of for Ireland, 
and I imagine he believed something of it himself. Mr. 
Harley is looked upon as first minister, and not my 
Lord Shrewsbury, and his grace helps on the opinion, 
whether out of policy or titith ; upon all occasions pro- 
fessing to stay until he speaks with Mr. Harley. The 
queen continues at Kensington indisposed with the gout, 
of which she has firequent returns. 

I deferred writing ta your grace as late as I could 
this post, until I might have something to entertakk 
you : but there is such a universal uncertainty amodg 
those who pretend to know most, that little can be de« 
pended on.* However, it may be some amusement to 
tell you the sentiments of people here, and, as bad as 
they are, I am sure they are the best that are stirring ; 
for it is thought there are not three people in Englaod 
entirely in the secret; nor is it sure, whether even those 

, was much- esteemed by that prince. He continued in that post tiU 
Feb. 12) 1707-8, when he, was made one of the principal secretaries of 
state, in which station he remained till Sept 20, 1710. On the ac- 
cession of George I. Mr. Boyle was created Lord Carleton, and sooa 
after made president of the council. He died unmarried, March 14, 
1T24-5. To the intervention of Mr. Boyle, and the friendship of 
Lord Halifax, Mr. Addison was indebted for his first introduction to 
iiord Godolphin. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 107 

three are agreed in what they iDtend to do. I am, ivith 
great respect, my lord, 

Your gi:ace'8 most obedient 
and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 
I have not time to read this, and correct the literal 
mistakes. 

J was to wait on the Duke of Ormond, to set him 
right \n the story of the college, abotit the statue, &c. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

REVERENp SIR, DuhUuj Sept. 16, 1710. 

I RECEIVED your's by the last packets, of September 
the ninth ; and because you have missed the two bbhops, 
I send you, with thisi» the papers relating to the first- 
fruits, and twentieth parts. I send them in two bundles^ 
being too big for one letter. The bishops, so far as I 
can learn from the Bishop of Ossory, have not made 
any step since I left London. I will endeavour to 
get you a letter from the bishops to solicit that affair. 
Id the mean time, open the letter to the two bishops^ 
and make use of it as occasion shall serve. The 
sdieme I had laid for them is crossed by my lord 
treasurer's being out ; though, perhaps, that would not 
have done ; but her majesty's promise I depended on, 
and I had engaged tlte Archbishop of York in it. 
When he comes to London, I will give you a letter to 
him. I can likewise find means, I beiieve, to possess . 
my Lord Shrewsbury and Mr. Harley, with the rea- 
fonableness of the affair. I am not courtier enough to 
know the properness of the thing ; but I had once an 
imagination to attempt her majesty herself by a letter, 



lOS LETTERS TO AND FROM 

modestly putHog her in mind of the matter ; and no 
time so proper, as when there is no Lord Lieutenant of 
Ireland, which perhaps may be soon ; but this needs 
advice. 

There are great men here as much out of humour, as 
you describe your great vLsitee* to have been ; nor does 
the good news from Spainf clear them. I believe, how- 
ever, they are glad at it, though another would have 
served their occasions as well. 

I do not apprehend any other secret in all this affair, 
but to get whigs out of alT places of profit and trust, and 
to get others in them. As for peace it must be on no 
Other terms than the preKminaries ; and you'll find a 
tory parliament will give mo^ey as freely^ and be as 
eager to prosecute the war, as the whigs were,, or they 
dre not the wise men T take them to be. If they do so, 
and take care to have the money well disposed of when 
given, they wiU break the King of France's heart, and 
the wh^s together, and please the nation. There's an 
ugly accident, that happens here in relation to our tweiH 
tieth parts and first-fruits ; at midsummer, 1 709, there 
was ready money in the treasury, and good solvent 
debts to the queed to the value of 70,000Z. Now I am 
told, by the last week's abstract, there is only 223^ id 
the treasuiy, and the army unpaid, at least uncleared for 
a year; and all others,. except pensioners, in the same 
condition. Now the great motive to prevail with her 

*" Probably tbe Esrl of Oodolphia, who was, perhaps, moeh vkited 
by his friends and party, after the resignation of his staff of lord trear 
surer. B.^This conjecture of Dr- Birch was very ingenious. The 
archbishop's alhision, however, related only to the private visit of 
Br. Swift to his lordship, which he mentions in his letter of Septem- 
ber 9. N, 

f Probably of the battle near Saragoza, in which King Charles of 
Spain gaiDcd a complete victory over his competitor, King Philip, 
OB the lOtii of August, 1710. B. 



DOCTOR SWIFT, 109 

majesty to ^jve the cler^ the bounty petitioned for, 
was the clearness of the revenue here ; but if that be 
anticipated, perhaps it may make an objection.' I will 
add no more, but my prayers for you. I am, &c. 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



TO DEAN STERNE. 

stR, Ltmdony Sept 26, 1710. 

One would think this an admirable place from whence 
to fill a letter, yet when I come to examine particulars, 
I find they either consist of news, which you hear as 
soon by the public papers, or of persons and things, to 
which you are a stranger, and are the wiser and happier 
for being so. Here have been great men every day re- 
ugning their places ; a res%nation as sincere, as that of 
of a usurer on his death bed. Here are some, that fear 
being whipped because they have broken their rod ; 
and some that may be called to an account, because they 
could not cast one; up. There are now not much above 
a do2ien great employments to be disposed of, which, ac* 
Gorcting to our computation, may be done in as many 
days. Patrick''^ assures me, his acquaintance are sdl 
very well satisfied with these changes, which I take for 
no ill symptom^ and it is certain the queen has never 
appeared so easy or so cheer^l. I found my Lord Go* 
doipbki the worst dissembler of any of them, that I 
bave talked to ; and no wonder, since his loss and dan^' 
ger are greater, beside the addition of age and com- 
l^lexion. My lord lieutenantf is gone to the country, to 
txistle about elections. He is not yet removed,* ht* 

• Dr. Swift's servatit. H. 
f £arl of Wharton. B. 



119 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

cause they say it wilt be requisite to supersede him by 
a succesi^or, which the queen has not fixed on ; nor is 
it agreed whether the Duke of Shrewsbury or Ormond* 
stand fairest. I speak only for this morning, because re- 
ports usually change every twenty-four hours. Mean 
time the pamphlets and half sheets grow so upon our 
hands, it will very well en^>loy a man every day from 
morning till night to read them, and so out of pei'fect 
despair I never read any at all. The whigs, like an 
army beat three quarters out of the field, begin to skir- 
mish but Mntly ; and deserters daily come over. We 
are amazed to find our mistakes, and how it was possible 
to see so much merit where there was none, and to over* 
look it where there was so much. When a great minis- 
ter has lost his place, immediately virtue, honour, and 
wit fly over to his successor, with the other ensigns of 
his office. Since I \eh oflf writing, I received a letter 
from my Lord Archbishop of Dublin, or rather two let- 
ters, upon these memorials. I think immediately to 
begin my soliciting, though they are not very perfect ; 
for I would be glad to know, whether my lord arch- 
bishop would have the same method taken here, that 
has been done in England, to settle it by parliament : 
but, however, that will be time enough thought of this 
good while. 

I must here tell you, that the Dean of St. Patrick's 
lives better than any man of quality I know; yet this 
day I dined with the comptroller,! who tells me, he 
drinks the queen's wine to day. I saw Collector 
Sterne,! who desired me to present his service to you, 

* The Duke of Ormond was appointed lord lieutenant, Oct 2^ 
1710. H. 

f Sir John HoUand, Bart H. 

X Enoch Sterne, Esq. CoUector of Wicklow, and Cl^k oT the House 
of Lords in Ireland. F. . 



DOCTOR SWIFT. Ill 

and to tell jou he would be glad to hear from you, 
but not about busioess ; hj which, I told him, I guessed 
he was putting you off about something you desired. 

I would much rather be now in Ireland drinking your 
good wine, and looking over, while you lost a crown at 
penny ombre. I am weary of the caresses of great men 
out of place. The comptroller expects every day the 
queen's commands to break his staff. He is the last 
great household of^cer they intend to turn out. My 
lord lieutenant is yet in, because they cannot agree 
about his successor. I am your most obedient humble 
lervant, 

J. SWIFT. 



A MEMORIAL OF DR. SWIFT'S TO 
MR; HARLEY, 

ABOUT THE FIRST FRUITS.* 

Oct. 7, 1710. 

In Ireland, hardly one parish in ten has any glebe, 
and the rest very small and scattered, except a very 
few ; and these have seldom any houses. 
. There are in proportion more impropriations in Ire- 
laod than in England, which, added to the poverty of 
the country, make the livings of very small and uncer-^ 
tain value, so that five or six are often joined to make 
a revenue of bOL per annum: but these have seldom 
above one church in repair, (be rest being destroyed by 
frequent wars, &c. 

* This wai drawn up by Dr. Swift i the memorial I)e received ft-om 
the bishops having been too long, and not to the purpose* S«e bis 
letter of Oct. 10. N. 



1 12 LET TEES TO AND FROM 

The clergy i for want of glebes, are forced, in tbeir 
own or neighbouriDg parish, to take farms to live on at 
rack rents. 

The queen having some years since remitted the first^^ 
fiiiits to the clergy of England, the bishop of Clojne^ 
being then in London, did petition her majesty for the 
same favour in behalf of the clergy of Ireland, and re- 
ceived a gracious answer. But this affair, for want of 
soliciting, was not brought to an issue during the 
governments of the Duke of Ormond, and Eai'l of Pem- 
broke. 

Upon the Earl of Wharton's succeding, Dr. Swift 
(who had solicited this matter in the preceeding go- 
vernment) was desir^d^ by the bishops of Ireland to 
apply to his excellency, who thought fit to receive the 
motion as wholly ne^:, and what he could not consider 
till he were fixed in the government, and till ihe same 
application were made to him as had been to his pre- 
decessors. Accordingly, an address was delivered to 
fais lordship, with a petition to the queen, and a me- 
morial annexed from both houses of convocation ; but 
a dispute happening in the lower house, wherein his 
chaplain was concerned, and which was represented by 
the said chaplain as an affront designed to his excelleD*- 
cy, who was pleased to understand and report it so to 
the cou't, the convocation was suddenly prorogued, and 
all farther thoughts about the first-fruits let fall as des« 
perate. 

Tife subject of the petition was to desire, that the 
twentieth parts might be remitted to the clergy, and the 
first-fruits made a fund for purchasing glebes and impro- 
priations, and rebuilding churches. 
The twentieth parts are twelve pence in the pounds- 

* Originally written, directed. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 118 

$aid annuallj out of all ecclesiastical benefices, as they 
were valued at the reformation. They amount to about 
5001 per annum ; but of little or no value to the queen, 
after the officers and other charges are paid, though of 
much trouble and vexation to the clergy. 

The first-fruits paid hj incumbents upon their promo- 
tion amount to A50L per armitm ; so that her majesty, iu 
A remitting about \000L per annum to the clergy, will 
teally lose not above 5002. 

Upon August 31, 1710, the two houses of convoca- 
tion being met to be farther prorogued, the archbishops 
and bishops conceiving there was now a favourable 
juncture to resume their applications, did, in their pri- 
vate capacities, sign a power to the said Dr. Swift, to 
solicit the jremitting of the first-fruits and twentieth 
parts. 

But there is a greater turden ihan this, and almost 
intolerable, upon several of the clergy in Ireland ; the 
easing of which, the clergy only looked on as a thing to 
be wished, without making it part of their petition. 

The queen is impropriator of several parishes, and 
the iqcumbent pays heir half-yearly a rent generally to 
the third part of the real value of the living, and somc- 
iimes half. Some of these parbhes [yielding no income 
to the vicar,"^] by the increase of graziers, are seized 
OD by the crown, and cannot pay the reserved rent. 
The value of all these ioipvopriatioDB are about 2000/. 
per annum to her majesty. 

If the queen would graciously please to bertow like- 
wise these impropriations, to the church, part to be re- 
mitted to the incumbent, where the rent is large and the 
living jmall, aad the rest to be laid but in levying 

* The words in books are erased. T^. 
VOL. XV. if 



114 UBTTEBS TO AND FROM 

glebes and impropiiatioos, and building churches, ii 
would be a most pious and seasonable bounty. 

The utmost value of the twentieth parts, fii*&t-fruiti 
and crowD rents, is 3000/. per ajmum^ of which aboui 
bOOL per annum is sunk among officers ; so that her ma 
jesty, bj this great benefaction, would lose but 2500£ 
per annum. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

M7 LORD, London^ Oct. 10, 1710. 

I HAD the hoDOur of your grace's letter of Septeflt< 
ber 1 0, but I was in no pain to acknowledge it, oor sbal 
be at any other time, until I have something that 1 
think worth troubling you, because I am very sensible 
how much an insignificant letter is worse than none a 
all. I had likewise the memorial, Sic, in anothe 
packet: and I beg your grace to enclose whateve 
packets you send me (I mean of bulk) under a pape 
directed to Mr. Steele, at his office in the Cockpit, an 
jnot for me at Mr. Steele's. I should have been glad tli 
bishops had been here, although I take bishops to b 
the worst solicitoi-s in tlie world, except in their own coi 
cerns. . They cannot give themselves the little troubh 
of attendance that other men are content to swallow 
else, I am sure, their two lordships might have au 
ceeded easier than men of my level can reasonably ho( 
to do. 

As soon as I received the packets, I went to wa 
upon Mr. Harley. I had prepared him before by ai 
other hand, where he was veiy intimate, and got mysc 
represented (which I might justly do) as one extremel 
ill used by the last ministry, after some obHgatiom^ b 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 115 

cause I refused to go certain lengths thej would have 
nic. This happened to be in some sort Mr. HaHcy's 
own case. He had heard very often of roe, and re- 
ceived me with the greatest marks of kindness and es- 
teem, as I was whispered that he would ; and the mwe, 
upon the ill usage I had met with. I sat with him two 
hours among company, and two hours we were alone ; 
where I gave him a history of the whole business, and 
the steps that had been made in it ; which he heard 
as I could wish, and promised with great readiness his 
best credit to effect it. I mentioned the difficulties we 
had met with from lords lieutenants and their secretaries, 
yiho would not suffer others to solicit, and neglected it 
themselves. He fell in with me entirely; and said, 
neither they nor himself should have the merit ot it, 
bat the queen, to whom he would show my memorial 
with the first opportunity ; in order, if possible, to have 
it done in this interregnum. I ssdd, ^ it was a great en- 
couragement to the bishops that he was in the treasury, 
whom they knew to have been the chief adviser of the 
queeo to grant the same favour in England : that the 
honour and merit of this would certainly be his, next 
the queen^s; but that it was nothing to him, who had 
done 80 much greater things ; and that for my part, I 
thought he wqs obliged to the clergy of Ireland, for 
giving him an occasion of gratifying the pleasure he 
took in doing good to the chuich.''* He received my 
compliment extremely well, and renewed his promises. 
Tour grace will please to know that, beside the first- 
fruits, I told him of the crown-rents, and showed the na- 
ture and value of them ; but said, my opinion was, that 

* Dr. Campbell, id his Philosophy of Rhetoric, prodiiers this pat* 
Mge at a fine example of aDiodirect, hut succetsful manner of praisiog, 
bj leemiBK to invert the coarse of the obligatioo, and to represent 
the penoBoUigiogai the penoa obliged. N, 



lis LETTERS TO AND FBOM 

irhoever has so little to do, as to desire some knowledge 
in secrets of state, must compare \vhat he hears from 
several great men, as from one great mao at several 
times, which is equallj diiTerent. People were sur- 
prised, wheu the court stopped its hands as to farther re- 
niovals: the comptroller, a lord of the admiralty, aod 
some others, told me, they expected every day to be 
dbmissed; but they were all deceived, and the higlier 
tories are very angry : but some time ago, at Hampton- 
court, I picked out the reason from a dozen persons; 
and told Sir John Holland, I would lay a wager he 
would not lose his .staff so soon as he imagined. The 
ministry are afraid of too great a majoiity of their own 
side in the house of commons, and therefore stopped 
short in their changes; yet some refinf rs think they have 
gone too far already, for of thirty new members in the 
present elections, about twenty -sis are tories. The 
Duke of Ormood seems still to stand the fairest for Ire- 
land; although I hear some faint hopes they will not 
nominate very soon. The ruiu of the late party was 
owing to a great number, and a complication of causes^ 
which I have had from persons able enough to inform 
me ; and that is all we can mean by a good hand, for the 
veracity is not to be relied on. Tlie Duchess of Marl- 
borough's removal has been seven years working ; that 
bf the treasurer above three^ and he was to be dismissed 
before Lord Sunderland. Beside the many persona] 
causes, that of breaking measures settled for a peace four 
years ago, had a great weight, when the French fiad 
complied with all terms, &c. In short, they appre- 
hended the whole party to be entirely against a peace, 
for some time, until they were rivetted fast, too fast to 
be broke, as they otherwise expected, if the war should 
conclude too soon. I cannot tell (for it is just come into 
my head) whether soioe unaaimous addressee, from tbgse 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 119 

who love the church in Ireland, or from Dublin, or your 
l^ace and the clergy, might not be seasoDable; or, 
whether mj Lord Wharton's beuig not yet suspended 
may yet hinder it. 

I forgot to tell your grace, that the memorial I gave 
Mr. Harley was drawn up by myself, and was an ab* 
stract of what I had said to him : it was as short as I 
could make it '^ that which you sent being too long, and 
of another nature. 

I dined to-day with Mr. Harley ; but I must humbly 
beg your grace's pardon if I say uo more fit present, for 
reasons I may shortly Jet you know. In the mean time, 
I desire your grace to believe me, with the greatest re- 
•pect, my lord, 

Your grace's most dutiful 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

REVEREND SIR, DttftZm, Oct 24, 1710. 

I THANK you for your's of the loth instant, and send 
you enclosed a farther power by my lord primate and 
me. My lord is not able to come to town, which obliged 
me to;wait on him at Johnston, and hindered the joining 
of two or three bishops in it who are yet in town : but I 
suppose our signing is sufficient. I went in the rooming 
to wait on his grace, and icTtended, when he had signed 
it, to have applied to other bishops; but he was abroad 
taking the air, and I could not get it until it was late, 
and thought it better to sign and send it as it is, than 
wait for another post. You may expect by the next a 
faettei: to hia grace of Canterbury, and another to the 



120 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

archbishop of York. I apprised them both of the busl- 
ness. The latter, if I remember right, spoke to her mH^ 
jesty about it ; I am not sure, that her majesty remem- 
bers irhat I said on that subject ; but am sure she was 
pleased to seem satisfied with it, and to scruple only the 
time : I suppose, uot thinking it fit to confer the favour 
she designed the clergy of Ireland by the hands it must 
theo have passed through, but said, that in the interval 
of a change, or absence of a chief governor, it should be 
done. I hope now is the proper time, and that her ma- 
jesty will rather follow the dictates of her own bountiful 
inclinations, than the intrigues of cunning covetous couu^ 
sdllors. 

I' thought to have troubled you with a great many 
things; but such a crowd of visitors have broken in up- 
on me before I could lock my gates, that I am forced 
to break off abniptly, recommending you to God's care^ 

I am, &c. 

WILLIAM DUBLIN. 



PROM LORD PRIMATE MARSH AND 
ARCHBISHOP KING. 

SIR, Dublin, Oct. 24, 1710. 

We directed a letter to the Bishops of Ossory and 
Killaloe last August, desiring and empowering them to 
solicit the affair of our first-fruits and twentieth parts 
with her majesty ; which has depended so long, notwith- 
standing her majesty's good intentions, and several pro- 
mises of the chief governors here to lay our addresses 
before her majesty in the best manner. We were then 
apprehensive, that those bishops might return from Eng- 
land before the business could be effected, and therefore 



DOCTOR SWIFT. I2T 

we desired them to concern you in it : having so good 
assurance of jour ability, prudence, and fitness to pro- 
secute such a matter. We find the bishops returned 
home before you came to- London, for which we are very 
much concerned ; and judging this the most proper time 
to prosecute it with success^ we entreat you to take the 
fM mtmagement of it into your hands; and do commit 
the care of soliciting it to your diligence and prudence ; 
desiring you to let us know from time to time what pro* 
gress is made in it. And if any thing farther be neces- 
sary on our part, on your intimation we shall be ready 
te do what shall be judged reasonable. 

This, with our prayers for the good success of your 
•Ddeavours, is all from, sir, 
Your, &c 

NARCISSUS ARMAGH^ 
WILLIAM DUBLIN. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING: 

REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Nov. 2, 1710, 

The declaration of bis grace the Duke of Ormond t»» 
be our lord lieutenant has stopped the farther lettei^s of 
recommendation designed to be sent to you, because the 
bishops were unwilling to solicit the affair of the first- 
fruits and twentieth parts by any other hand. I gave 
them some account how far you had been concern- 
ed in it; and they ordered a letter to Mr. Southwell, ta 
ipive bim an account, that the papers were in your hands, 
and to desire you to wait on him with them, and take 
your own measures in soliciting the affair. I am not to 
conceal from you, tliat some expressed a little jealousy/ 

diat yoa woidd not be acceptable to the present coorv- 

E 2- 



122 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

tiers, intimating that jou were under the reputation of 
being a favourite of the late partj in power. You may 
retaiember I asked you the question before you were en- 
gaged in this affair, knowing of what moment it was ; 
ftod by the coldness I found in some, I soon perceived 
what was at the bottom. I am of opinion, that this con- 
jecture of circumstance will oblige you to exert yourself 
with more vigour; and if it should succeed, you have 
gained your point ; whereas, if you should fail, it would 
cause no reflections, that having been the fate of so many 
before you. 

I can be very little useful to you at this distance ; but 
if you foresee any thin^ wherein I may be serviceable 
to the business, or yourself you may command, sir, , 

Your's, &c. 

' WILL. DUBLIN. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MY LORD, London, Nov. 4, 1710. 

I AM most unhappily engaged thb night, where I can- 
not write to your grace so long a letter as I intended ; 
but I will make it . up in a post or two. I have only 
sow to tell you, that Mr. Harley has given me leave to 
iK^uaint my lord primate and your grace, that the queen 
has granted the first-fruits and twentieth parts 'to the 
clergy of Ireland. It was done above a fortnight ago ; 
but I was then obliged to keep it a secret, as I hinted to 
jour grace in my last letter. He . has now given me 
lettre to let your grace and my lord primate know it{ 
only desires you will say nothing of it until a letttr 
comes to you from my Lord Dartmouth, secretary of 
ftale. Allibwiryetii^thitdiebUiopsaietolieBada 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 123 

*a corporation for the .disposal of the first-fruits, and that 
the tweutieth parts are to be remitted. I will write to 
your grace the pariiculars of my negotiation, and some 
other amusements very soon. I humbly beg your grace 
to acquaint my lord primate with this. I had your 
grace's letter last post ; and you will now see that your 
letters to the archbishop here are unnecessary. I was a 
little in pain about the Duke of Ormond, wlio, I feared, 
.might interpose in this matter, and be angry it was done 
without him : but Mr. Harley has very kindly taken 
this matter upon himself. It was yesterday I dined with 
him, and he told me all this ; and to-morrow I dine with 
hiro a^ain, where I may hear more. I shall obey your 
grace^s directions, whether my stay here be farther ne- 
cessary, after you have had the letter from the secreta- 
ry's office. I know not what it will be ; but, if any 
forms remain to finish, I shall be ready to assist in it as 
I have hitherto done. I have all the reason in the 
world to be satisfied with Mr. Harley's conduct in this 
whole alTair. In three days he spoke of it to the queen 
and gave her my memorial, and so continued until he got 
her grant. I am now in much company, and steal ^ H. 
time to write to your grace. The queen was reml^ 
to have the whole merit of this afi*air to herself. Mr. 
Harley advised her to it ; and next to her majesty, he 
IB the only person to be thanked. I suppose it will not. 
be many days before you have the letter from my Lord 
Dartmouth; and your grace will afterward signify Toor 
commands, if you have any for me. I shall go to the 
office, and see that a despatch be made as soon as possi- 
ble. 1 am, with the greatest respect, my lord,. 
Your grace's most dutiful 

and most obedient humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



B 3 



124 LETTERS TO AJ^D FROM 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KINa. 

REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Nov, 16, 1710. 

I HATE before me your's of the 4th instant, which T 
received two posts ago. It was very grateful to me, and 
I hope it will have a good effect as to the church in ge- 
neral, and be of use to you in particular, which I hearti- 
ly wish. My lord priraate is out of town, and I have 
not seen him since I received your's, nor do I see any 
haste Co communicate it to him ; but in due time there 
will be no need to make a secret of it. I durst not have 
said any thing of it, if you had not given me the cau- 
tion, lest any accident should intervene, to which all 
matters of this nature are liable. It puts a man out of 
countenance ta raise expectations, if lie should not be 
able to satisfy them. I understand that her majesty de^ 
signed this should be her own act ; but the good instru-* 
ments, that have been subservient, ought not to be for« 
got; and, with God's help, I will do my endeavour that 
tbsj shall not. I shall be impatient to see the accom* 
jMlnient of this charitable work. 

^we* are here in as great a ferment about choosing 
parliament men, on a supposition that this parliament 
will be dissolved as soon as your's in England. And it 
h remarj^able, that such as design to betray their coun- 
iryv-rramore diligent to make votes, than those that' 
b^ ;i^ U^fiitiritTiiteqtions to serve it. It would prevent 
a gieat deal of .et. 'I'^iai^es and heats, if we cer^ 
tainly knew whether Vi'-^^SStf bavea new parliament 
or not. 

All business in chancery, and in truth all public busi« 
nesS) is at a stand, by the indisposition of my lord chaa> 
cellor. I would tell you, that I am engaged most un- 
happily this night, to excuse this short letter $ but tbe 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 126 

ain truth, I think, vrill do as irell ; which is, that I 
aive uo more to say, but my prayers for you, &c. 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



. TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

KT LORD, London^ Nov. 23, 1710; 

1 HAD your grace's letter* not until this day : wbe^ 
er it lay in the secretary's office, or was kept by tlio 
nd, I cannot tell ; but I would have exposed it imme- 
ately whenever it had come. Mr. Southwell told me 
'o days ago of the letterf your grace mentions, which 
rprised me a good deal, when I remembered I had 
rit to your grace three weeks ago, that the queen had 
isolutely granted the first-fruits and twentieths, and 
at Mr. Harley had permitted me to signify the same 

the primate and your grace. Perhaps that letter 
[ght not have reached yourgrace before that resolution 

sending to the Duke of Ormond ; but however, I 
ve you such an account of my reception from JUk^ 
iirley, and his readiness to undertake this affair, ana 
lal steps he had already made in it, as I tliought would 
ve given you some sight in what way the business was ; 
t Mr. Harley charged me to tell nobody alive what 
e queen had resolved on, till he gave me leave ; and 

the conclusion of a former letten your grace might 

2 you were to expect some farther intelligence very 
)ii« Your grace may f^Snemb&f^ that upon your 
ling me how backward the bishops were in giving me 
power, I was very unwilling to go at all, and sent the 
im of St. Patrick's^ to tell you so ; but you thought 

> That which is dated Nov. 2. N. 
- To the Doke of Ormond, probably. N, 
Dt, Sterne. N. 



12« LETTERS TO AND FROM 

I could DOt handgomely put it off, ^vhen things were 
gone so far. Your objection then, about the disadvan- 
tage I lay under in point of party, I knew well enough 
how to ansvrer, otherwise nothing should have prevailed 
on me to come hither; and if my lords the bishops 
doubt whether I have any credit with the present 
ministry, I will, if they please, undo this matter in as 
little time as I have done it. I did reckon your grace 
understood and believed me in what I said ; and I 
reckon so still : but I will not be at the pains of unde- 
ceiving so many. I never proposed to myself either 
credit or profit by my labour, but the satisfaction of 
doing good, without valuing whether I had the merit of 
it or not : but the method now taking was the likeliest 
way to set all things backward, if it were not past 
danger. It shall be my business (until my lords the 
bishops forbid jne to engage farther) to prevent any mis- 
understanding with Mr. Haiiey by this sudden step. 
The thing was all done before the Duke of Ormond was 
named for lord lieutenant, so there was no affiront at all' 
to him ; and Mr. Harley told me more than once, that 
mph an interest was the properest, because he thought 
"the queen herself should have the doing of it : but I 
tsaid a great deal of this in former letters. If your 
grace has any. commands for me of your own, I shall 
obey them with all cheerfulness, being, with great re* 
ipect, my lord, 

Your grace's roost obedient 

and moft homble servant, 

J, SWIFT. 



I ^ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 127 



TO ARCHBISHOP KIJS'G. 

MY LORD, London^ Nov. 28, 1710. 

A DAY or two after I received your grace's letter, of 
the second iostant, I diued with Mr. Southwell, who 
shawed me the letter of the hishops to the Duke of Or- 
moad, aod another letter from the Bbhop of Kildare^ 
to Mr. Southwell,! to desire him to get the papers iTom 
me, which I shall send him as soon as I have looked 
them out. Mr. Southwell said, that a mo&th or two 
heoce, when the duke hegau to thiuk of this journey, it 
would be time enough to solicit this affair. Upon this 
I told hira frankly, that the queen had already granted 
the first-fruits, and that I had writ to your grace by Mr. 
Harley's directions, but that my letter did not reach you 
until your's was sent to the duke and him ; and that 
therefore I thought it would be a very odd step to. begin 
again. He said, he was glad it was done, and that he 
did not design to take any of the credit from me, die* I 
told him sincerely, it was what I did not regard at all, 
and provided the church had the benefit, it was indifljEv- 
ent to me how it came about; and so we parted. I had 
told the Duke of Ormond at fii*st that I would apply 
myself to Mr. Harley if his grace advised it, which he 
did; and I afterward told Mr. Southwell, that Mr. 
Harley had been very kind in promising his good offi- 
ces : farther I durst not speak, l>eing under an engage- 
ment of secrecy to Mr. Harley ; and the whole ihrag 
was done before the duke was declared lord lieutenant* 
If your grace considers the time you sent me the paper, 
you will judge what despatch was made ; in two day« 

• Dr. Wclbore Ellis. 

. ^ Richt Hoa. Edward Southwell, secretary of state (br Ireligid. 
Ik 



1 1 



1» LETTERS TO AND FROM: 

after, I delivered a memorial I drew up to Mr. Harley ;: 
aud in ]es6 than a fortnight he had treated the matter 
four times with the queeu, and then told me she had 
i;raDted it absolutely, as my memonal desired, but charg- 
ed me to tell no man alive ; and your grace may re- 
member, that one of my letters ended with something as 
if I were limited, and would say more in a short time. 
In about a M^eek after, I had leave to inform the primate 
aDd your grace, as I did in my letter of the 4th instants- 
It is to be considered, tliat the queen was all this while- 
at Hampton Court or Windsor^ so that I think the de- 
spatch was very great. But, indeed, I expected a letter ^ 
would have been sent from the seo'etary's office, tO' 
signify this matter in due form ; and so it will : but 
Mr. Harley had a mind first to bring me to the queen, for 
that and some other matters ; and she came to town 
not a week ago, and was out of order cue day when it . 
was designed I should attend her, and, since, the 
parliament's beginning has taken her up : but in a- 
few days, Mr. Harley tells me he will introduce me. 
This I tell your grace in confidence, only to satisfy you- 
in particular, why the queen has not yet sent a lettering 
form. Upan that despatch to Mr. Southwell, I was 
perplexed to the last degree. I did not value the slight- 
ing manner of the Bishop of Kildare's letter, barely de- 
siring Mr. Southwell to call on me for the papers, with- 
out any thiAg farther, as if I had been wholly insigni- 
ficant ; but I was at a loss how to behave myself with ' 
the duke aad Mr. Harley. I met the latter yesterday 
in the court of requests, and he whispered me to dine^ 
with him. At dinner, I told him of the despatch tot 
Mr. Southwell, and rallied him for putting me under' 
difficulties with his Fccre's ; that I was running my head, 
against ^a wall ; that he reckoned he had done the church 
and me a favour ^ that I should disoblige the Duke of 



DOCTOR SWIFT. HfiT 

OrmoDd ; and that the bishops in Ireland thought I 
bad done notbiog, and bad therefore taken away mj 
commission. He told me, your lordship bad taken it 
away in good time, for the thing was done ; and that, 
as for the Duke of Ormond, I need not be uneasy ; for 
be would let his grace know it as soon as he saw biro, 
which would be in a day or two, at the treasury ; and 
then promiflied again to carry me to the queen, with the 
first opportunity. Your grace now sees how the afiair* 
stands, and whether I deserve such treatment from the* 
Ushops; from every part whereof I wholly exclude 
your grace, and could only wish my first letter, about 
the progress I had made, had found so much credit with 
jou, as to have delayed that despatch until you heard 
once more from me. I had at least so much discretioo, 
not to pretend I had done more than I really did, but 
I rather less; and if I had consulted my own interest, f 
I should have employed my credit with the present minis- 
I try another way» The bishops are mistaken in me; it 
is well known here, that I could have made my markets 
with the last ministry if I had pleased ; and the present 
toen in power are very well apprised of it, as your 
pace may, if I live to see you again ; which I certainly 
' never would io Ireland, if I did not flatter myself that I 
an upon a better foot with your grace, than with some 
ether of their lordships. Your grace is pleased to com- 
nand me to continue my solicitations ; but as now there 
will be no need of then, so I think my commission is at 
an end, ever since I had notice of that despatch to Mr. 
Southwell. However, in obedience to your grace, if 
there be any thing to be done about expediting the 
formsi wherein my service can be of use, I will readily 
perform as4ar as I am able : but I must tell your grace 
what gives me the greatest displeasure, that I had hopes 
to prevail that the qiieeu should iu some months be 



13Q LETTERS TO AND FROM 

brought to remit the crown rents, which I named in nij 
memorial, but in an article by itself; and which Mr. 
Harley had given roe some hopes of, and I have some 
private reasons to think might have been brought about. 
I mentioned it in the memorial, only as from myself ; 
and therefore, if I have an opportunity, I shall venture 
to mention it to the queen, or at least repeat it to Mr. 
Harley. This I do as a private man, whom the bishops 
no longer own. It is certain!} right to pay all civili- 
ties, and make applications to a lord lieutenant ; but, 
ifithout some other means^ a business may hang long 
enough, as this of the first-fruits did for years under 
the Duke of Ormondes last government, although no 
mao loves the church 6f Ireland better than his grace ; 
but such things are forgot and neglected between the 
governor and his secretaries, unless solicited by some- 
body who has the bdhiness at heart. But I have done, 
and shall trouble your grace no farther upon this alTair ; 
sod on other occasions, while I am here, will endeavour 
to entertain you ^itb what is likely to pass in this busy 
scene, nhere all things are taking a new, and, I think, a 
good turn ; and where, if you please, I will write to you, 
irith that freedom I formerly did ; and I beg your grace 
to employ me in any commands you may have here^ 
which I shall be prouder to obey, than to have ever so 
much merit with some others ; being, with perfect re- 
spect, my lord. 

Your grace's most dutiful, 

and most obedient humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

« 

Tour grace will please to direct i<Nr me at St James's 
coffee-house, St. James's street. 

Two hundred members supped last night at the 
Fountain tavern, where they went to determine about a 



DOCTOR SWIFT- 131 

cfaairmaD for elections. Medlicott and Manly were the 
two candidates; but the company could not agree, and 
parted in an ill humour. It is a matter of some mo- 
ment, aiKi I hope it will be amicably made up ; but the 
great rock we are afraid of is a disseution among the 
majority, because the weakest part, wlien they grow 
discontented, know where to retire, and be received. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

KirsBEKD 8iBf Dublm, Nov. 30, 1710. 

I RECB1 vso your's of the 23d.' by last packet. I was 
aware <rf what you observed, when the letter to his 
irace was signed ; but it was before I received yoiu'*s 
of the 4th instant, wherein you tell me, that the business 
was in efleel done ; nor could I have any certain pros- 
pect that it would be done from any iotimatioa that I 
bad before from you. You must know that this was not 
the only thing displeased me in the letter ; it was drawn 
sad signed by some before I saw it I looked on it as 
a snare laid in my way ; nor most you wonder that 
•ome are better at making their court, tiian serving the 
church ; and can flatter much better, than vote on the 
right side. Those that had rendered themselves justly, 
obnoxious by deserting his grace's"^ IrieDds and intereat 
in notorious instances, think they have salved all by 
this early application, and perhaps it may prove so. 

But if the matter be done, assure yourself it will be 
known by whom, and what means it was effected. 

In the mean time, God forbid you should think of 
slacking your endeavours to bring it to perfection. I 

* The Duke of Ormond, who was declared Lord Lieuteoaot of 
Ireland, Oct. 19, 171Q. B. 



132 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

am yet under an obligation not to say any thing of tbe 
matter from your letter ; and while so, it would be hard 
for roe to refuse to sign such a letter as that you men- 
tion, or find a pretence for so doing : but when tbe 
business is done, the means and methods will likewise 
be known, and every body have their due that contri- 
(buted to it. 

I shall reckon nothing done till the queen's letter 
come here. You may remember how we were borne 
in hand in my Lord Pembroke's time, that the queen- 
bad passed the grant ; which, after a whole year's ex- 
pectation and solicitation, proved only a mouthful of 
moonshine. But, if it succeeds better now, we must 
owe it, next to the queen's goodness and bounty, to the 
great care of the great man to whom you have appl]e(^ 
and to your management It is seven or eight yea» 
since we first attempted this affair, and it passed through 
several hands ; yet no progress was made in it, which 
WBs certainly due to the ill methods taken to put it for- 
ward ; which, io truth, instead of promoting, obstructed 
it At the very first motion, it was promised, and in a 
fiur way ; but the bishops here, out of their abundant^ 
deference to the government, made the same wrong step 
tiiey would have done now ; and we could never make^ 
the least progress since, till now, and I pray God we 
have not put it back again. 

You must not imagine^ that it is out of any disaffec- 
tion to you, or any distrust of your ability or diligence,, 
that the bishops here were so cold in their employing, 
you: but they reckon on party;, and though several 
inew what you were, yet they imagined, and some, 
vouched, that you *were looked on at court as enaged on 
the other side ; and you cannot do yourself a greater 
service than to bring, thb to a good issue, to their shame 



DOCTOR SWIFT. lU 

iDd conviction. I heartily recommend you and your 
busineBS to God's care, and am, «&c. 

WILL. DUBLIIC 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

ISiR, Dublin^ Dec. 16, 1710. 

This is to acknowledge the receipt ot' your's of the 
28th ult which came not to my hands till Thursday 
last, by reason oi winds, that kept the packets ou the 
4ither side. 

I find the matter of our first-fruits, &c is tdked of 
Dow^ I reckon on nothing ceitain till her maje ty's let- 
ter comes in form : and quaere, why, should you not come 
and bring it with you ? It would make you a very wel- 
^come clergyman to Ireland, and be the best means to 
mtisfy mankind how it was obtained, although I think- 
it will be out of dispute. I am very well apprised of 
Ihe despatch you gave this affair, and well pleased, that 
I judged better of the person fit to be employed, than 
iome of my brethren. But now it is done, as I hope it 
18 effectually, they will assume as much as their neigh- 
ixNirs ; which I shall never contradict. 

Things are taking a new turn here as well as witii 
you ; and I am of opinion, by the time you come here, 
-few will profess themselves wliigs. The greatest danger 
I apprehend, and which terrifies me more than perhaps 
you will be able to imagine, is tlie fury and indiscretion 
of some of our own people; who never had any merit, 
but, by embroiling things, they did, and I am afraid 
will yet do, mischief. You will soon hear of a great 
'Conspiracy discovered in the county of Westmeath. I 
swas Used to so many discoveries of plots in the latter 



•1 



134 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

end of King Charles's time, and the beginning of King 
James's, that I am not surprised at this disco verj. I 
must not say any thing of it, till all the witnesses be ex- 
amined: so many as have deposed are not decisive. 
The design jof it is to show all the gentlemen of Ireland 
to be a pack of desperate whigs, ready to rise up in 
arms against her majesty for the old ministry, associating 
to that purpose. Whether it be for the interest of Ire- 
land to have this believed, you may judge ; and sure 
there must be good evidence to make any reasonable 
man believe it. Mr. Higgins^ has drawn up the narra- 
tiye, and sent it to England, and will pawn all he is 
ifoilh to make it good. I heartily recommend you to 
God's favour ; and am, &c. 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MY LORD, London, Dec, 30, 1 70S. 

I HAVE just received your grace's letter of the 16th; 
and I was going however to write again to your grace, 



* Francis Higgins, M . A. prebendary of Christ-chnrch in Dublio, 
and rector of Balruddery in that county. He was afterward present- 
ed by the grand jury ot the county <rf Dublin, on the 5th of Octo- 
ber, 1711, as a sower of sedition, and groundless jealousies, among 
her majesty's protestant sul:»)ects. Higgins published an answer to 
the presentment on the 9tli, with a testimonial of the lower house of 
convocation in his favour. And on the lOth of the said month, 
Henry Lord Santry presented a petition to the Lord Lieutenant and 
privy council of Ireland, desiring that Mr. Higgins might he tuined 
but of the commisBion of the peace. See a letter, dated Oct. 27, 
1711. But, after several hearings of the case, heforc the lord lieu- 
tenant and council, he was, on the 9th of rtoveqiber following, 
cleared ; though the archbiihop .of Dublin voted in the negative 
against him. TS. 



DOCTOR SWIFl*. . 135 

not upon bunness, but to amuse you witb something from 
hence, which no man wants more than your grace, con- 
sidering the variety of other people's affairs you have 
always on your hands, as well as the church's and your 
own, which are the same thing. The Duke of Ormond 
told me the other day that the primate declined very 
fast, and was hardly able to si^ a paper. I said, I 
wondered they would put him in the government, wheu 
e^ery one knew he was a dying man this twelvemonth 
past I hope, for Ihe chureh's good, that your graceV 
friends will do their duty, in representing you as the 
persoo the kingdom wishes to succeed him. I know not 
how your dispositions stand that way. I know my 
lord president has great credit at present, and I have 
understood him to be a fHeod to your grace. I can 
only say, I have no regard to your interest in this, but 
that of the church ; and therefore should be very glad 
to drop in a word where it lies in my way, if I thought 
it would not be disagreeable to you. I dread their send- 
ing a person from hence, which I shall venture to pre- 
vent with all the little credit I have, and should be glad 
to see a primate of our own kingdom and university; 
and that b all I shall venture to say on this subject. 

Marshal Staremberg^ has certainly got to Saragossa 
with 7000 men, and the Duke of Yendosmef has seat ^ 
him his equipage. Mr. Stanhope was positive to part 
forces with Staremberg, whici. occasione<.' this loss; and 
when the battle was, they were several miles asunder* 
The Duke of Marlborough was yesterday an hour with 
the queen ; it was set him at twelve at noon, when it 
was likely his visit should be shortest. Mr. St. John 
was with her just before,^ aod Mr. Harley <ust after. 
The duke's behaviour was with the most abject submis- 

* General and commander of the Imperial fomes in Sfain. F. 
f Commander of the French. F. 



«36 I.ETTERS TO AND FROM 

fiioD ; ^ that he was the meanest of her majesty's instil 
meuts; her humble creature, a poor worm;''* &c. TMi 
I had from a lord to whom the queen told it : for the 
miuisters never tell any thing; and it is only by picking 
out and comparing that one can ever be the wiser for 
them. I took leave yesterday of Lord Peterborow, wht 
is going in a day or t^o to Vienna : I said I wished he 
were going to Spain ; he told me, ^ he hoped his present 
journey would be to more purpose ;" and by what I can 
gather, they will use all means to' make as speedy a 
peace as possible, with safety and honour. Lord Riven 
tells me he will not set out for Hanover this month, I 
asked him about his late reception there, because the 
^own was iuH of stories about it 4 he assured me ht 
could not desire a better ; and if it were otherwise, I 
l)elieve he would hardly be pitched upon to be sent 
^ain. The young people in parliament are very eager 
to have some inquiries inade into past managements, and 
are a little angry with the slackness of the ministry upon 
that article ; they say, they have told those who sent 
them, that the queen's calling a new parliament was to 
correct and look into former abuses ; and if something 
of the latter be not done, they know not how to answer 
it. . I am not altogether satisfied how the ministry is dis- 
posed in this point. Tour grace has heard there was 
much talk lately of Sir Richard Levenge'sf design to 
impeach Lord Wharton ; and several persons of great 
consideration in the house assured me they would give 
liim all encouragement : and I have reason to know it 
would be acceptable to the court : but Sir Richard is tba 
most timorous man alive, and they all begin to look 
upon him in that character, and to hope nothing from 

* If the duke had that meaiiQeBs, the queen laughed at him. N. 
f Speaker of the house of commons, and lord chief justice of the 
queeD*8 bench. U. 



j 



DOCTOR SWIFT. i;i7 

him : liovreyer, they talk of some otlici' iaquiries when 
the parliament meets after tliis recess; aud it is often iu 
peopIe^s mouths that February will be a warm month; 
but this I cau affirm uotliiog of, aud I hope your ^r^ce 
will distinguish between what I affirm, aud w liat I re- 
port : as to the first, you may securely couut upou it ; 
the other you wi'l please to take as it is seat 

Since the letter from the bishops to the Duke of Or- 
mond, I have been a much cooler solicitor ; for I look 
upon myself no lougrr a deputed person. Your <p*ace 
may be fully satisfied that tlie thing is granted, because 
I had orders to report it to you from the prime minis- 
ter; the rest is form, aud may be done at any time; as 
for bringing tlie letter over myself, I must again profess 
to your grace, that I do not regard the reputation of it 
at all ; perhaps I might if I were in Ireland ; but, wheu 
I am on this sitlc, a certain pride seizes nie, from very., 
different usage I meet with, which makes me look on 
tbiogs in another light : but besides, I beg to tell your 
grace in confidence, that the miuistr}' hare desired me to 
continue here some time longer, for certain rcasoco, tliat 
I may some time have tiie honour to tell you. As for 
every body's knowing what is done in the first-fruits, it 
was I that told it; for, after I saw the bishops' letter, I 
let every one know it in perfect spite, and told Mr. Har- 
ley and Mr. Secretary St. Jolm so. However, hi hum* 
ble deference to your grace's opinion, and not to appear 
sullen, I did yesterday complain to Mr. Secretary St. 
John, that Mr. Harlcy had not yet got the letter from 
the queen to confirm the grant of t!ie first-fruits; that I 
Iiad lost reputation by it ; aud that I took it very ill of 
them both ; and that their excuses of pail lament busi- 
ness, and grief for the loss in Spain, wore what I would 
bcai' no longer. He took all I said very well, and de- 
sired I would call on him to-morrow oioniing, acd.hc 

VOL. XV. o 



\d8 liETTEBS TO AND FROM 

would engage, if Mr. Harle^- had not done it, he himte 
would in a daj or two. As soon as there is any isau 
of this, I shall inform yoiur grace ; and I have reason t 
think it Is a trifle they will not refuse me. 

I think I had from oUier hands some accounts of thfl 
ridiculous plot* your grace mentions, but it is not y( 
talked of here, neither have any of the ministry mentioi 
ed a word of it to me, although they are well apprised c 
some affairs in Ireland ; for I had two papers given m 
by a great man, one about the sentence of the defaoet 
of the statue, and the other about a trial before the Loci 
Chief Justice Broderick, for some words in the nortli 
spoken by a clergyman against the queen. I suppoa 
your grace reckons upon a new parliament in Ireland 
with some alterations in the council, the law, and tin 
revenue. Tour grace is the most exact correspondeo 
I ever had, and the dean of St. Patrick's directly cob 
trary, which I hope you will remember to say to hu 
upon the occasion. 

I am, with the greatest respect, my lord. 
Your grace's most dutiful 

and most humble servant, 

J. 5WIFT. 

I have read over this letter, and find several things fe 
lating to affairs here, that are said in perfect confi 
dence to your grace : if they are told again, I onlj 
desire it may not be known from what hand thej 
came. 

* The iDformatioD of Dominlck Langton, a converted priest; c 
wliom lee hereafter in a letter of Oct 27, 171 1 . N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 139 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

M7 LORD, Jan. 4, 1 710-1 1. 

Having writ to your grace so lately, I only now 
Bake bold to let yoa know, that on Tuesday I was to 
wmit OD Mr. Secretary St. John, who told me from Mr. 
Hirley, that I need not to be io pain about the first- 
bultm for the warrant was drawn in order toward a pdf^ 
tent; but must pass two several forms, and take up some 
tfane^ for the queen designs to make a grant by her let- 
ten patent. I shall take all due methods to hasten it as 
br as I am able ; but in these cases they are generally 
petty tedious. Mr. Harley likewise sent me the same 
di^, by another person, the same message. I dined with 
'Hni about four days ago; but there being much com- 
puy, and be going away in haste pretty soon after 
dioner, he had not time to tell me so himself. Indeed, 
he has been so ready to do every thing in this matter as 
I would have him, that he never needed pressing ; which, 
considering both the weight and difTiculty of affairs at 
present on his shoulders, is very extraordinary, and what 
L never met from a great minister before. I had thought* 
and 80 Mr. Harley told me, that the queen would have 
tent a letter to the bishops ; but thb is a shorter way, 
flid I hope your grace will like it. 

I am, with the greatest respect, my lord^ 
Tour grace's most dutiful 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

I am told from a good hand, that in a short time the 
bouse of commons will fall upon some inqukies into 
the late management. 



140 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

I took leave yesterday of Lord Peterborow, wlio, I tup' 
pose, is this day set out on his joniney to Yienna;* 
be is a little discouraged, and told me, he did not hqx 
for any great success io vhat he went upon. He n 
one of those many who are mightily bent upon hanf 
some such ioquiriea^made as I have mentioned. 



FROM MR. SECRETARY ST. JOHN.f 

Sunday^ past twelve, Jan, 7, 1710-11. 

TiiERS are few things I would be more industrious (o 
bring about than opportunities of seeing you. Since 
you was here in the morning, I have found means pi 
putting off the engagement I was under for to-morrof , 
so tliat I expect you to dine with me at three o'clock. 
I send you this early notice, to prevent you from any 
other appointment. I am ever, reverend sir, your obe- 
dient humble servant, 

H. ST. jomr. 



TO JMR. SECRETARY ST. JOHN. • 

siE, Jati. 7, 1710-11. 

Though I should n^t value such usage from a seoti- 
tary of state, and a great minister ; yet when I consider 
the persoQ it comes from, I can endure it no longer. I 
would have you know, sir, that if the queen gave joa 8 
dukedom and the garter to-morrow, with the treasni} 

* Dr. Swift repeats ibis passage ia the Journal to Stella, of Jan. 4 
17!0-11. N. 
f Then principal secretary of state for the southern pTOvince*. N 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 141 

staff at the end of them, I would regard you oo more 
tbaa if you were oot worth a groat. I could almost re- 
aolye, io spite^ not to find fault with my victuals, or be 
quarrelsome to-morrow at your table : but if I do not 
take the fint opportunity to let all the world know some 
quHties in you that you take most care to hide, may 
By right hand forget its cunnuig. After which threat- 
ening^ believe me, if you please, to be, with the greatest 

Sir, your most obedient, most obliged, 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

BBvnsim SIB, Dublin^ Jan.0, 1710-11. 

^ I.BXcsiVBD your's of December the 30th by the last 

pKketa ; it found me in the extremity (rf the gout, which 

*/ is the more cruel, because I have not had a fit of it for 

/ two yean and a half. I strain myself to give you an 

answer to-night, apprehending that as both my feet and 

kneea are already affected, my hands may pexhaps be so 

by the next post; and then, perhaps, I may not be able 

to answer you in a month, which might lose me some 

part of the praise you give me as a good correspondent. 

As to my lord primate, he is much better since be was 

jput into the government, and I reckon his life may be 

longer than mine; but, whh God's help, hereafter I will 

«ay more on this subject. 

As to what is reported of Mr. Stanhope's obstinacy, I 
demur, till satisfied how far the kindness to him, as a 
manager, influences the report 
"We have received an answer fitom his grace the Duke 



lit LETTERS TO AND FROM 

of OrmoDd to our letter. It is Id a very authentic and 
Bolemn form, ^ that his grace will take a proper time to 
lay our request before her majesty, an(i know her plea- 
sure OD it" By vhich I concUide two thiogs; first, that 
kis grace is not informed of any grant her majesty bat 
Bade ; for if he had, he would have applied immediate^ 
and sent it ; and then it would have passed for hi% and 
he would have had the merit of it. Secondly, that hii 
grace is in no haste about it And therefore let me be- 
seech you to solidt and press it, and get the letter date4 
as when first it was promised ; but I confess I have still 
some scruple in my mind about it. 

I acknowledge you have not been treated with dot 
xegard in Ireland, for which there is a plain reasoo^ 
fragraoat arUs u^ra se pasitas, iic. I am glad yea 
meet with more due returns where you are : and as this 
IS the time to make some use of your interest for your- 
self, do not forget it. 

We have published here a character of the Earl of 
'Wharton,* late lord lieutenant of Ireland. I have so 
much charity and justice as to condenm all such pnh 
ceedings. If a governor behave himself ill, let him be 
complained of and punished ; but to wound any man thus 
in the dark •*•*♦****«#• 
* • * *. When this is over, they may do what thej 
please ; and sure it will please them to see the crow 
stripped of her rappareed feathers. We begin to be in 
pain for the Duke of Marlborough. 

I hear an answer is printing to the Earl of Wharton's 
character. Fray was there ever such licentiousness of 
the press as at this time ? Will the parliament not think 
of curbing it ? I heartily xecommed you, &c. 

WILL. DUBLIN. 

« See it in the fiDOrth volume tf this coUectkio. If. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 143 



FROM THE SAME. 



Jan. 13, 1710-11. 
Mr gout gives rae leave yet to answer your's of the 
4th instant, which was veiy acceptable to roe ; because 
I find by it some farther steps are made in our business. 
I beHete it will take up some time and thoughts to frame 
t warrant, and much more a patent for such an affair.* 
Except your lawyers there be of another humour than 
onnhere, they will not write a line without their fees; 
and therefore I should think it necessary some fund 
ibould be thought of to fee them. If you think this mo- 
tion pertinent, I can think of no other way at present to 
toswer it, than, if you think it necessary, to allow you to 
<hiw upon me ; and my bill to this purpose, less than 
100^ shall be punctually answered. I write thus, be- 
cause I have no notion how such a thing should pass 
the offices without some money ; and I have an entire 
confidence in you, that you will lay out no more than 
wBat is necessary. 

I think your ministers perfectly right to avoid all in- 
quiry, and every thing that would embroil them. To 
agpeal to the mob, that can neither inquire nor judge, is 
a proceeding, that I think the common sense of mankind 
should condemn. ' Perhaps he may deserve this usage ; 
but a good mail may fall under the same. 

We expect a new parliament, and many changes ; but 
I believe some we hear of will not be. 

Your observation of the two sentencesf is just. You 

* The patent wai completed Feb. 7. See Journal to Stella, Feb. 
9, 1710 11. N. 
t Those pLentioned ia Swift's letter of Dec. 30, 1710. N. 



\A^ LETTERS TO AND FROM 

mW pardon this disjointed letter. I believe my reacts 
are better than tiie expressions here. 

I am, «&c. 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



TO THE EARL OF PETERBOROW. 

MY LORD, Feb. 1710-11, 

I EMVY none of the queen's subjects so much as those 
nrho are abroad ; and I desire to know, whether, as great 
a soul as your lordship has, you did not observe your 
mind to open and enlarge, after you were some leagues 
at sea, and had left off breathing party air* I am apt to 
think this scliism in politics has cloven our understandings^ 
and left us but just half the good sense that blazed in 
our acUons; and we see the effect it has had upon our 
wit and learning, which are crumbled into pamphlets 
and penny papers. The October club, which was in its 
rudiments wlienyour lordship left us, is now growing up 
to be a party by itself, and begins to rail at the ministry 
as much as the whigs do, but from topics directly contra- 
ry. I am sometimes talked into frights, and told that 
all is ruined; but am immediately cured when I see 
any of the ministry ; not from the satisfaction they give 
me in any one point, but because I see them so perfect- 
ly easy, and I believe they could not be so if they had 
any fear at heart. My comfort is, they are persona of 
great abilities, and they are engaged in a good cause. 
And what is one very good circumstance, as I told three 
of them the other day, they seem heartily to love one 
another, in spile of the scandal of inconstancy which 
court friendships lie under. And I can affirm to your 
lordship, they heartily love you too; which I take to be 
a great deal more than when they assure you so them- 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 145 

uives : for even statesmen irill sometimes discover their 
passions^ especially their good ones. 

Here is a pamphlet come out, called ^ A Letter to 
Jacob Baoks," showing that the liberty of Sweden was 
destroyed by the principle of passive obedience. I know 
not whether bis quotation be fair, but the piece is slirewd- 
ly written ; and in my opinion, not to be answered, other- 
wise than by disclauning that sort of passive obedience 
which the tones are charged with. This dispute would 
soon be ended, if the dunces who write on each side, 
would plainly tell us what the object (rf this passive obe- 
dience is in our couutiy : for, I dare swear, nine in ten 
of the whigs will allow it to be the legislature, and as 
many of the tones deny it to the prince alone; and I 
hardly ever saw a whig and toiy together, whom I could 
not immediately reconcile on that article, when I made 
tbem explain themselves. 

My brd, the queen knew what she did, when she sent 
your lordship to spur up a dull northern court ; yet, I 
confess I had rather have seen that activity of mind and 
body employed in conquering another kingdom, or the 
same over again. I am, my lord. Sue. 



FROM MR. NELSON"^ TO DR. SWIFT. 

BWXREND SIR, AdirWednisdaij^ Fd^. 22, 1 710-11. 

I BEG leave to put you in mind of the inscription, 
which you are to prepare for the Earl of Berkeley's 
iiionument.t My lady dowager has determined to have 
it in Latin ; so that I hope you want no farther direc- 

** Mr. Nelson had married the Earl of Berkeley's sister, Lady 
-Theophila, the relict of Sir Kingsmill Lacy. She died in 170^. N. 
i In Berkeley-church, Gloucfisterehire. N. 

O 2 



14^ LETTERS TO AND FROM 

tioDs toward the fiDubiug of it. The workmaa calls 
upon me for it, which is the reason of this trouble givea 
you, bjy reverend sir, your most humble servant, 

ROBERT NELSON, 

[On the back of this^letter is the following first draft 
of the intended inscription,^ in the handwriting of 
Dr. Swift.] 

« H. S. E. 

" Carolus comes de Berkeley, vicecomes de Dursley, 
baro Berkeley de castro de Berkeley, dominus Mou- 
bray, Segrave, et Bruce ; dominus locumtenens comi- 
tatOs Glocestrise; civitatis Glocegtrise roagnus senes- 
challus; guardianus de forest^ de Dean; custos rotu- 
lorum comitatib de Surrey ; et regiuse Anns a secre- 
tioribus consiliis. Ob fidem spectatam, linguarum 
peritiem, et priidentiam, a rege Gulielmo III. able* 
gatus .et plenipotentiarius ad ordines foederati Belgii 
per quioque annos arduis reipublicse negotiis focliciter 
iovigilavit. Ob quae merita ab eodem rege (vivepte 
adhuc patre) in magnatum oumerum adscriptus, et 
consiliarius a secrctis factus; et ad Hiberniam secun- 
dus inter tres summos justiciarios missus. Denique 
legatus extraoidinarius designatus ad Turcarum impe- 
Hum : et [KKtea, regnante Anuft, ad Cssarcm able- 
gatus : quae munia, ingravescente valetudioe et senec- 
tute, obire nequiit. Natua Londini, 1640. Obiit 
, 1710, aetat. 62." 

* See the complete ioKriptioD, anoog the Deaa'i poetical wntinp, 
in Tel X. N* 



DOCTOR SWIFT. U? 



TO ARCHBISHOP KINO. 

XT i^oRD, London, March 8, 1 7 1 0- 1 1 . 

I WRITE to your grace uuder the greatest disturbance 
^ miod for the public aud myself.* A gentleman came 
in where I dined this afternoon, aud told us Mr. Har- 
ley was stabbed, and some confused particulars. I im- 
mediately ran to Secretar}' St. John's hard by, but no- 
body was at home; I met Mrs. St. John in her chair, 
who could not satisfy nie, but was in pain about the se- 
cretary, who, as she heai-d, had killed the murderer. I 
went strait to Mr. Harley's, where abundance of people 
were to inquire* I got young Mr. Harley to me ; he 
said his fiither was asleep, and the}' hoped in no danger, 
and then told me the fact, as I shall relate it to your 
grace. This day the Marquis de Guiiicard was taken 
up for high treason, by a warrant of Mr. St. John, and 
examined hefore a committee of council in Mr. St» 
John's office; where were present, the Dukes of Or- 
mond, Buckingham, Shrewsbury, Earl Powlet, Mn 
Harley, Mr. St. John, aud others. During examiaa- 
tioo, Mr. Harley observed Guiscard, who stood beliiud 
him, but on one side, swearing and looking disrespect- 
fully. He told him he ought to behave himself better,. 
while he was examined for sucli a crime. Guiscard 
immediately drew a penknife out of his pocket, which •* 
he had picked out of some of the offices, and reaching 
round, stabbed him just under the breast, a little to the 
tight side ; but it pleased God that the point stopped 
at one of the ribs, and broke short half an inch. Imme- 
diately Mr. St. John rose, drew his sword, and ran it 
iato Ouiscai'd's breast. Five or six more of the couucil 

^ Sm Journal to Stella, of the same date. N. 

ft a 



J48 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

drew, and stabbed Ouiscard in several places : but tiie 
Earl Powlet called out, for God*s sake, to spare Gois- 
card's life, that he might be made an example; and Mr. 
St John's sword was taken from him and broke: and 
the footmen without ran in, and boond Guiscard, who 
beggeil he mi^t be killed immediate^; and they say, 
called out three or four times, ^ My Lord Ormond, my 
£ovd OAnond." They say, Chiiscard resisted them a 
while, until the footmen came in. Immediately Buder 
the surgeon was sent for, who dressed Mr. Harley : and 
he was sent home. The wound bled fresh, and they 
do not apprehend him in danger : he said, when he came 
home, he thought himself in none ; and when I was thert 
be was asleep, and they did not find him at all feverish. 
He has been ill this week, and told me last Saturday, 
be found himself much out of order, and has been abroad 
but twice since ; so that the only danger is^ lest his being 
out of order should, with the wound, put him in a fever. 
-and I shall be in nighty pain till to-morrow rooming. 
I went back to poor Mrs. St John, who told me, her 
husband was with my lord keeper,* at Mr. Attoruey's,t 
and she ssad something to me very remarkaUe : *^ that 
going to-day to pay her duty to the queen, when all the 
men and ladies were dressed to make their appearance, 
this being the day of the queen's accesrion, the lady of the 
bedchamber in waiting told her the queen had not been 
at church, and saw no company; yet, when she inquired 
tier health, they said she was very well, only had a lit- 
tle cold." We conceive the queen's reason for not go- 
ing out might be something about tliis seizing of Guis- 
card for high treason, and that perhaps there was some 
plot, or something extraordinaiy. Tour grace must 
have heard of thb Guiscard : he fled from France for 

"^ Fir SimoB Hareonrt. N. ^ 8ir John Trevor. N- 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 148 

▼iUaniet tbeie, and was thought od to bead an inyaiioa 
of that kia|[doin, but was not liked. I know him well, 
and tbiok bim a fellow of little consequeoGe, although 
of some cuDDiug, and much Tillanj. We passed by 
one another this day in the Mall, at two o'clock, an hour 
befiMe he was taken up ; and I wondered he did not 
^eak tome. ^ 

I write all this to jour grace, because I believe' you 
would desire to know a true account of so important an 
accident; and besides, I know you will have a thousand 
Use ones ; and I believe erery material circumstance 
here Is true, having it from young Mr. Hariey. I met 
Sir Thomas Mansel (it was then after riz this evening) 
apd he and Mr. Prior told me, they had just seen Guis- 
card canied by in a chair, with a strong-guard, to New- 
gate, or the Press>yard. Time, perhaps, will show who 
was at the bottom of all this; but nothing could happen 
so unluckily to England, at tliis juncture, as Mr. Hart- 
ley's death, when he has all the schemes for the greatest 
part of the supplies in his head, and the parliament can- 
not stir a step without him. Neither can I altogether 
fivget mysell^ who^ in him, should lose a person I have 
more obligations to than any other in this kingdom ; 
who has always treated me with the tenderness of a pa- 
rent, and never refused roc any favour I asked for a 
IKend : therefore I hope your grace will excuse the dis- 
order of this letter. I was intending, this night, to write 
one of another sort 1 must needs say, one great rea- 
son for writing these particulars to yonr grace was, that 
you might be able to give a true account of the feet, 
iriiich will be some sort of service to Mr. Hariey. I am, 
with the greatest respect, my lord, 
Your grace's most dutiful, 

and most huoible servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



150 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

I have read over what I writ, and find it confused and 
locorrect, which jour grace must impute to the Yiih 
lent pain of mind I am in, greater than ever I felt in 
ID7 life. It must have been the utmost height of 
desperate guilt which could have spirited that wretch 
to such an action. I have not heard whether his 

^ wounds are dangerous ; but I pi'ay God he may re 
tover, to receive liis reward, and that we may learn 
the bottom of his villany. It is not above ten days 
ago, that I was interceding with tht- secretary in hit 
behalf, because I heard he was just starving ; but the 
secretary assured me he had 400/. a year peosion* 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KINO. 

RXTEREMD SIR, DubUfl, MoTCk 17, 1710-1 L 

I RETURN you my thanks for your's of the 8th instant. 
I do not wonder, that you were in some confusion when 
you wrote it ; for I assure you I i^ead it with great 
horror, which such a fact is apt to create in every body 
that is not hardened in wickedness. I received several 
other letters with narratives of the same, and saw isome 
that came ta other hands ; but none so particular, or 
that could be so well depended. upon. I observe, that 
among them all, there is no isccount of the matters laid 
to Guiscard's charge^ of his design, or how he came to. 
be discovered. I suppose those are yet secrets, as it is 
fit they should be. I do remember something of this 
Guiscard, and that he was to head an invasion; and 
that he published a very foolish narrative ;*' but neither 
remember exactly the time, or under what ministry it 

* The Marquis de Guiscard^s Memoirs were publit^hed with a ie^ 
)iicatiOD to Qumd Anse, dated at the Hague, May 10, 1705, B. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 151 

iraa, or who wei-e his patrons. It seems convenieDt, that 
these should be known ; because it is reported, tliat Mr» 
Harley and Mr. St. John were those who chiefly coun- 
tenanced him, and he their peculiar favourite. One 
would think this should convince the world, that Mr. 
Harley is not in the French interest, but it has not yet 
had that efTect with all : nay, some whisper the case of 
fieoiufl Rufus, and Scevinus in the ]5(h book of Taci- 
tOB, aceensis indkdhua ad prodenduoi Eenium Ri^unty 
fum eundem canscium et inquuntcrem nan t^erabant. 
Mr. St. John is condemned for wounding Guiscard ; and 
had he killed him, there would not have wanted some 
to 8Ug:gest, that it was done on purpose, lest he should 
tell tales. 

Wc had a strange piece of news by last packet, that 
the address to her mijesty met with but a cold reception 
ftom one party in the house of commons ; and' that all 
the loi'ds. spiritual and temporal of that party, went out 
when it passed in the lords' house. Bui I make it a 
rule, never to believe party news, except I have it im» 
mediately from a sure hand. 

I was in hopes to have heard something of our first* 
fniits and twentietli parts; but I doubt that matter 
sleeps, and that it will be hard to awaken it. 

You will expect no news from home. We eat and 
drink as we used to do. The parties are tolerably silent, 
bat those for the late ministry seem to be united, keep 
nnich together, and are so wise as not to make much 
noise : nor have I heard any thing of their sentiments 
of late, only what has happened on this accident I 
heartily recommend you to God's care. 

I anv &c WILL. DUBUSr. 



15i LETTEBS TO AND FROM 



FROM LORD PETERBOROW. 

FOB THE BST. DB. SWIFT, BISHOP OF, OB DEAN OF, &Ci 

UB, Vienna^ April 18, 1711. 

I HATB oftea with pleasure reflected upoa the glori- 
ous possibilities^ the English constitution ; but I must 
applj to politics a French expression appropriated by 
them to beauty : there is a j« n^ sfai qum among us^ 
which makes us troublesome with our learning, disagreea- 
ble with our wit, poor with our wealth, and insignificant 
with our power. 

I could never despise any body for what they have 
not, and am only provoked, when they make not the 
right use of what they have. This is the greatest mor^ 
tification* to know the advantages we have by art and 
nature, and see them disappointed by lelf-conceit and 
faction. What patience could bear the disappointment 
of a good scheme by the October club ? 

I have with great uneasiness received imperfect ac- 
counts of disagreement among ourselves. The party we 
have to struggle with has strength enough to require our 
united endeavours. We should not attack their firm 
body like Hussars. Let the victory be secure before 
we quarrel for the spoils ; let it be considered whether 
their yoke were easy, or their burden light What \ 
must there ever be in St Stephen's chapel, a majority 
cither of knaves or fools ? 

But seriously, I have long apprehended the effects of 
that universal corruption, which has been improved with 
60 much care, and has so fitted us for the tyi-anny de- 
signed, tliat we arc grown, I fear, insensible of slavery, 
and almost unworthy of liberty. 



DOCTOR SWIFT- US 

The gentleraeo, who gi^e jou do other tatufaction iu 
politics thaa the appearances of ease and mirth, I wish 
I could partake with them in their good humour ; but 
tokay itself has no efibct upon me while I see affairs so 
unsettled ; faction so strong, and credit so weak ; and 
all services abroad under the utmost difficulties by 
past miscarriages and present want of money ; but we 
ire told here, that in the midst of victory, ordeis are 
C^ren to sound a parley, I will say a retreat Give mt 
kave to tell the chuicfaman, that there is not in * ^^ * *f 
I have rid the resty horse you say they gave me, ia 
ploagbed lands, till I have made him tame. I wish they 
manage the dull jades as well at home, and get them for- 
ward either with a whip or spur. I depend much upon 
the three you mention;^ if they remember me with 
Undness, I am their's by the two strongest ties^ I love 
them, and hate their enemies. 

Yet you seem to wish me other work. It ia time 
(he statesmen employ me in my own trade, not tbeira. If 
they have nothing else for me to subdue, let me command 
igainst that rank whiggisb puppetsbow. Those junto 
pigmies, if not destroyed, will grow up to giants. Tell 
St John, he must find me work in the old world or the 
new. 

I find Mr. Harley Ibigets to make mention of tjie 
moat important part of my letter to him ; which was to 
let him know, diat I expected immediately for one Dr. 
Swift, a lean bishoprick, or a fat deanery. If you hap- 
pen to meet that gentleman at dinner, tell him, that he 
has a friend out of the way of doing him good, but that 
be would, if he could ; whose name is 

F£T£RBOROW. 

t Some words are here erand. N. 

\ Probably Harley, Harcoart, and Boliogbrokc. "S', 



1S4 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MT LORD, London^ April 10, 1711. 

I HAD lately the honour of a letter from your graces 
and waited to acknowledge it until somethiog material 
should happen, that m^ht recompense the trouble. My 
occasion of writing to you at present is purely personal 
to your gi*ace. A report was beginning to run here, by 
some letters from Ireland, that your grace had applied 
the passage you mention of Rufus, iu a speech you made 
to your clei)^, which I ventured to contradict, as Ian im- 
possibility, and inconsistent with your general opinion^ 
and what was in your letter. Mr. Southwell and Mr. 
Doppiug were of the same mind; and the former says, 
he has writ to your grace about it. I should have 
thought no more of the matter, but let it spend like an 
idle story below notice : only dining last Sunday with 
one of the principal secretaries of state, he gave me a 
letter to read, which he had just received from the prin- 
ter of the newspaper called The Postboy, in which was ft 
transcript of a letter from Dublin ; and the secretary be- ' 
log mentioned in that transcript, the man would not 
publish it without his advice. It contained an account 
bow the news of Mr. Harley's being stabbed had been 
received by the whigs in Dublin: of which he produc- 
ed some instances. Then he mentions the passage out 
of Tacitus, and concludes thus : " The first that men- 
tioned it was the archbbbop of Dublin, who took notice 
of it first at a meeting of his clergy ; and afterward, iu 
the hearing of several persons, was reprimanded for it in 
a civil though sharp manner, by one of the chief mini- 
sters there, well known for his steady loyalty to her ma- 
jesty, and his zealous service to the church of England, 
under her late perilous trial." I immediately told the 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 155 

secretaiy, that I knew this must be false and misrepre- 
sented, and that he roust give me leave to scratch out 
^at passage, which I accordingly did ; and for fear of anj 
mistake, 1 made him give me aAerward the whole letter, 
that I might have it in my power. The next day I 
sent for the printer, and told him what I had done ; and 
upon farther thoughts I stifled the whole letter, and the 
secretory approved of it. I likewise told the printer, 
that when he had any thing relating to Ireland, I had 
the secretary's order (which was true) to send it me, 
that he might not do injury to men's reputations, bj 
what was represented to him from ignorant or malicious 
hands in that kingdom. The letter was to have been 
printed this day in The Postboy, with that conclusioa 
r^ecting on your grace, which is happily prevented ; 
for, although your character and station place you above 
the malice of little people, yet your friends would be ex- 
tremely concerned to see your name made so bold with 
in a common newspaper. 

I humbly hope your grace will not disapprove of what 
I have done : at least, I have gratified my own inclina- 
tion, in the desire of serving you ; and besides, had the 
qyportunity of giving Mr. Secretary some part of your 
character. 

I dare lay a wager, that all this happened by the gross 
understandings of some people, who misunderstood and 
misapplied something very innocent that came from your 
grace. I must be so bold to say, that people in that 
kingdom do very ill understand raillery. I can rally 
much safer here with a great minister of state or a duch- 
ess, than I durst do there with an attorney or his wife* 
And I can venture to rally with your graces although I 
could not do it with many of your clergy. I myself 
have been a witness, when want of common sense has 
made people ofifended with your grace, where they oug;h| 



166 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

to have beea the most pleased. I say tUngs every day 
at the best tables, which I should be turned out of com- 
pany for if I were in Ireland. 

Here is one Mr. Richardson, a clei^gyman, who is so- 
liciting an affair which I find your grace approves ;^ and 
therefore I do him all the service I can in it. 

We are now fiili of the business of the Irish yam: 
and I attend among the rest, to engage the membera I 
am acquainted with, in our interest. To-morrow we ex- 
pect it will come on. . 

I will shortly write to your grace some account how 
public affairs stand; we hope Mr. Harley will be well 
IB a week. 

We have news from Brussels that the dauphin is 
dead of an apoplexy. I am, with the greatest respect^ 
mylordi 

Tour grace's most dutiful 

and mosi humble servant* 

J. SWIFT. 
I wish your grace would enclose your commands to me, 
directed to Erasmus Lewis, Esq. at my Lord Dart- 
mouth's office at Whitehall ; for I have left off going 
to coffee-houseSi 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

BSTXRKKD SIB, DlfiMfl, Jpril 11,1711. 

I HAD the favour of your's of the loth instant, by 
which I understand how much I am obliged to you for 
the justice you did me as to the report you let me know 

t Tbe printioa of Iridi Biblee; N.. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 15T 

iras about to be printed io the Postbqjr, relating to Mr. 
Ilaricy. 

I think there is no man in this kingdom, on which 
such t report coald be fixed witii less colour of tnitli, 
having been noted for the particular regard I have al- 
ways had for him. I have suffered in some cases too 
for my zeal to defend him in the wont of times; for I 
confess I never could, with patience, bear the treatment 
he met with in Gregg's aflbir. The truth is, when I re- 
ceived the news of this last barbarous attempt made on 
him, I with indignation insulted some^ with whom I used 
to dispute about the former case, and asked them, whether 
they would now mvped that he was in the conspiracy 
to stab himself? The turn they gave it was what I 
wrot^ to you, that they imagined he might be in it not- 
withstanding that^ and that his discovering Gnkcard, 
and pressing so hard on tlie examination, was the thing 
that provoked the man to such a degree of rage, as ap- 
peared in that viltanous act. And they instanced the 
story of 1480 in Tacitus, and the passage of Rnfus. I 
know very well that they did not believe themselves, 
and among other things I applied that passage of Hudi- 
faras, he, that beat's out his brains, &c.^ I believe I 
have told this passage to several as an example, to show 
into what absurdities the power of prejudice, malice, and 
faction will lead some men, I hope with good effect; and 
added, as several gentlemen that heard me can witness, 
that it was a strange thing, that Mr. Harley should dis- 
cover Gregg, and have him hanged, and yet be suspect- 
ed to be partaker of his crime ; but altogether unaccount- 
able, that in a cause, wherein his life was so barbarous- 
ly struck at, it was a thousand to one if he escaped, he 

* *' Bat he that hangs, or beats oot*f brainp, 
The devil'f in him, if he feigns.'' 



158 LETTERS TO AND FROM* 

Bhould sdll be under the guspicion of beiog a partj with 
bis murderer! so that I could never imagioe, that any 
one should report, that I spoke my own sense in a matter 
wherein I expressed so great an abhorrence, both of the 
fact, and the vile comment made upon it. 

As to anj speech at the meeting of the clergy, or any 
reprimand g^ven me by any person on this account, it is 
all, assure yourself, pure invention. 

I am sensible of the favour you did me, in prevent- 
ing the publishing of such a false report, and am most 
thankful to Mr. Secretary St. John for stopping it. I 
have not the honour to be known to him, otherwise I 
would ^ve him the trouble of a particular acknowledg- 
ment. As to Mr. Harley, I have had the happiness to 
have some knowledge of him, and received some obli- 
gations from him, particularly on the account of my 
«ct of parliament, that I obtained for the restitution of 
Seatown to the see of Dublin. T always had a great 
honoiur for him, and expected great good from his known 
abilities^ and zeal for the common interest ; and as I 
believe he was the principal instrument of settling things 
•n the present foot, so I believe every one, that wishes 
well to these kingdoms, is satisfied, tliat there is not any 
man, whose death would be a greater loss to the public 
than his. The management of this parliament has, if 
Dot reconciled his worst enemies to him, at least silenced 
them ; and it b generally believed that his misfortune 
has much retarded public affairs. 

I partly can guess who writ the letter you mention : 
it must be one of two or three, whose business it is to in- 
vent a lie, and throw dirt, ever since I was obliged by 
my duty to call them to account for their negligence and 
ill practices : they have published and dispersed several 
libellous prints against me, in one of which I marked 
forty-three downright falsehoods ui matters of Act. ht 



DOCTOR SWJFT. 159 

another, it is true, tliere was ddIj one such ; the whole 
and every part of it, from beginning to end, being pure 
invention and falsehood. But to mj comfort, thej are 
despised by all good men ; and I like myself nothio^ 
less for being the object of their hate. You will excuse 
this long letter, and I hope I may, by aezt, apprise you 
with something of consequence. In ihe mean time, I 
heartily recommend you, &c. 

WILLIAM DUBLIN. 
I. held my visitation on the 9th instant, where you 
were excused,* as absent on the public business of ihe 
church. 



TO THE EARL OF PETERBOROW, 

JIT LORD, ^oyA^ 17]1. 

I HAvs had the honour of your lordship's letter, and 
by the first lines of it have made a discovery that your 
lordship is come into the world about eighteen hundred 
years too late, and was born about half a dozen degrees 
too far to the Noith, to en. ploy that public virtue I 
always heard you did possess: which is now wholly 
useless, and which those very few that have it are 
forced to lay aside, when tliey would have business suc- 
ceed. 

Is it not some comfort, my lord, that you meet with 
the same degeneracy of maimers, and the same neglect 
of the public, among the honest Germans, though in the 
philosopher's phrase, dilFerently modified ? aud I hope, 
at least, we have one advantage, to be more polite in our 
corruptions than they. 

• For his prebend of Dunlavco ; (see April 17, 1710.)— His \w\nffl 
wwe ia the diocese of Mettk. If. 



100 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Our divisions rua farther than perhaps jonr lord- 
ship^s intelligence has jet informed you of: that is, a 
triumvirate of our fiiends wiiom I have mentioned to 
you : I have told them more than once, upon occasioQ : 
*< That all mj hopes of their success depended on their 
union ; that I saw they loved one another, and hoped 
they would continue it, to remove that scandal of in- 
constancy ascribed to court friendships." I am not now 
so secure; I care not to say more on such a subject, and 
even this enire nous. My credit is not of a size to do 
any service on such an occasion : but as little as it is^ I 
am so ill a politician, that I will venture the loss of it to 
prevent tliis mischief; the consequence of which I an 
as good a judge of as any minister of state, and perhapi 
a better, because I am not one. 

When you writ your letter, you had not heard cr 
Guiscard^s attempt on Mr. Harley ; supposing you know 
all the circumstances, I shall not descant upon it. We 
believe Mr. Harley will soon be treasurer, and be of the 
house of peers; and then we imagine the court will 
begin to deal out employments, for which every Octo- 
ber member is a candidate; and consequently nine 
in ten must be disappointed ; the effect of which we 
may find in the next session. Mr. Harley tvas yester- 
day to open to tlie house tlie ways he has thougfit o( 
to raise funds for securing the unprovided debts of the 
nation ; and we are all impatient to know what his pro- 
posals are. 

As to the imperfect account you say you have re- 
ceived of disagieement among ourselves, your lordslifp 
knows that the names of whig and tory have quite al- 
tered their meanings. All who were for turning out the 
late ministry, we now generally call tories; and in that 
sense, I think it plain that there are among Uie tories 
three different interests ; one of those, I mean the minis- 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 161 

tt}% who agree irith jour lordship and mc, in a steady 
Dianagemeut for pursuing the true interest of the nation : 
another is, that of warmer head?, as the October club 
aud their adherents without doors ; and a third is^ I 
fear, of those who, as your lordship expresses it, would 
found a parley, and who would make fair weather in 
case of a change ; and some of these last are not iacon- 
tiderable. 

Nothing can be more oblighig than your lordship^s 
lemembcriug to mention me hi your letten to Mr. Har- 
icy aud Mr. St. John, when you are in the midst of such 
great affairs. I doubt I shall want such an advocate as 
Tmir lordship ; for I believe, every man who has mo- 
4aXj or mcriti is but an ill one for himself. I desiro 
hut the smallest of those titles you give me on the out- 
-nde of your letter. Mj ambition is to live in England, 
•nd with a competency to support tne with honour. 
'The ministry know by this time whether I am worth 
keeping ; and it is easier to provide for ten men in the 
•church, than one in a civil employment. 

But I renounce England and deaneries, without a 
promise from your lordship, under youi* own hand aud 
seal, that I shall have liberty to attend you whenever I 
please. I foresee we shall have a peace next year, by 
Ihe same sagacity that I have often foreseen when I was 
youog. I nmst leave the town in a week, because my 
money is gone, aud I can borrow no more. Peace will 
bring your lordship home j and we must have you to 
adorn yotu: countrj^, when you shall be no longer waul- 
ed to defend it. I am, my lord, &c. 

VOL. XV, JI 



jai LETTERS TO AND FROM 

please DOt to mention this particular, although it m\\ be 
soon public, but it is yet kept mightj private. Mr. 
Harley u to be lord treasurer. Perhaps, before the 
post leaves this town, all this will be openly tokl, and 
jiben I may be laughed at for being so mysterious : but 
80 capricious are great men in their secrets. The fint 
authentic assurances I had of these promotions was list 
Sunday, though the expectation has been strmig for 
above a month. We suppose likewise that many 
changes will be made in the employments as soon ai 
the session ends, which will be, I believe, in less than i 
.fortnight. 

Poor Sir Cholmondeley Deering, of Kent, was yesto- 
day in a duel shot through the body, by one Mr. ThoiD- 
bill, in Tothilfields, find died in some hours. 

I never mention any thing of the first-fruits either to 
Mr. Harley or the Duke of Ormond. If it be done be- 
fore his grace goes over, it is well, and there's an end: 
if not, I shall have the best opportunity of doing it in lus 
absence. If I should speak of it now, perhaps it would 
be so contrived as to hinder me from soliciting it afte^ 
ward ; but as soon as the duke is gone, I shall learn at 
the treasury what he has done in it. I have been at 
tills town this fortnight for my health, and to be under a 

. necessity of walking to and from London every day. 

' But your grace will please still to direct your letters 

, .under cover to Mr. Lewis. 

I am, with great respect, my lord, 
Tour grace's most dutiful 

and obliged humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



DOCTOR SWIFT, 166 



TO MR. SECRETARY ST, JOIIX. 

SIR, Chelsea, May 11, 1711. 

3bimg coDVioced, hy ccrtaia oraioous prognostics, that 
' life is too sliort to permit me the lionour of ever 
liog another Saturday villi Sir Simon Harcourt, 
ight, or Robert HarUy^ Esq. I beg I maj take tlie 
i farewell of those two gentlemen to-morrow. I made 
B request 00 Saturday last, unfortunately after, you 
re gone; and they, like great statesmen, pi-etended 
7 could do nothing in it widiout your consent ; par- 
ilarly my lord keeper, as a lawyer, raised ionumera- 
difficulties, although I submitted to allow you an 
ir*8 whispering before dinner, and an hour after. 
r Lord Rivers would not offer one word in my be- 
^ pretending he himself was but a tolerated perboo. 
e keeper alleged, ^ You could do nothing but when 
three were capitularly met,^' as if you could never 
D but like a parish chest, with the three keys toge- 
r. It grieves me to see the present ministry thus con- 
stated to pull down my great spirit Fray, sir, ilud 
expedient. Finding espedieuts is the business of 
vtaries of state. I will yield to any reasonable con^ 

■ ■ 

ons not below my dignity. I will not find fault with 
victuals ; I will restore the waterglasa that I stolen 
solicit for mj lord keeper's salary. And, sir, to 
w you I am not a person to be safely injured, if you - 
e refuse mc justice in this point, I will appear before 
. in a padding sleeve gown, I will disparage your 
S; write a lampoon upon Nably Car, dine with you 
a a foreign postday ; nay, I will read verses in your 
ence, until you soatcli them out of my hands. 



166 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Therefore pray, sir, take pity upon me and ycmnelf ; 
and believe me to be, with great respect> sir, 

Tour most obedient and most humble sen^isnt 



FROM ARCHBtSHOP KING; 

BKVEREND BIB9 Dttfrjtft, Moy 15, 1711. 

I HAD the favour of jour's of the l(Hh instant, b^ the 
last packets, and cannot return you sufficient aGkooir> 
ledgment for your kind and prudent management of that 
aflair, so much to my advantage. I confess that I iSA 
not much fear that such a vile report would do me any 
great injury with Mr. Harley ; for I was persuaded be 
is too wise to believe such an incredible story. But the 
publishing it to the world might have influenced some to 
my disadvantage ; and no man can be well pleased to 
be the subject of a libel, though it often happens to be 
the fate of honest men. 

I doubt not but you will hear of an unlucky contest 
in the city of Dublin about their mayor. Tou may re- 
member (I think while you were here, that is, in 1 709) 
Alderman Coustantine, by a cabal, for so I must call it, 
lost his election; find a junior alderman, one Forrest, 
was elected mayor for the ensuing year. Consfantioe 
petitioned the council board not to approve the election ; 
for you must know, by the new rules, settled in pur- 
suance of an act of parliament for the better regulation 
of corpora^ons, their chief officers must be approved of 
by the governor and council after they are elected, be- 
fore they can enter into any of their respective offices; 
and if not approved of in ten day^ the corporatioB that 
chose them must go to a new election. Now, Alderman 
Gonstantine, upon the corporation's return of Forrest. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 157 

eomplaioed of it as wrong, and desired to be heard by 
couDsel; but mj Lord Wharton, then lord lieutenant, 
would not admit it. This past on to the year 1710, and 
then the present mayor was chosen, Aldermen £ccle8, 
another junior alderman ; and this year one Alderman 
Barlow, a tailor, another junior. Constautine^ finding 
the government altered, supposed he should have more 
favour, and petitions again of the wrong done him. The 
city replied, and we had two long hearings. The matter 
depended on an old by-law, made about the 12th of 
(^ueen Elizabeth ; by which the aldermen, according to 
thdr anciently, are required to keep their mayoralty, 
notwithstanding any licenses or orders to the contrary. 
Several dispensations and instances of contrary prac- 
tices were produced ; but with, a salvo, that the law of 
nccession should stand good ; and some aldermen, as ap- 
peared, had been disfranchised for not submitting to it, 
and holding in their mayoralty. On the contrary, it 
was urged, that this rule was made in a time when the 
mayoralty was looked upon as a great burden, and the 
seoior aldermen g5t licenses from serving it, and by fac 
tioo and interest got it put on the junior and poorer^ 
aad most of the aldermen were then papists, and being 
obliged, on accepting the office, to take the oath of su- 
premacy, and come to church, they declined it : but the 
case was now altered, and most were ambitious of it : 
and a rule or by-law, that imposed it as a duty and bur- 
den, must be understood to oblige them to take it, but 
could not oblige the electors to put it on them ; that it 
was .often dispensed with, and, as alleged, altogether ab- 
n^ted by the new rules, tliat took the election out of 
the dty, where the charter places it, and gave it to the 
aldermen only : that since those ndes, which were made. 
in 1672, the elections have been in another manner, ancl 
bk about thirty-six mayors^ eight or nine were junioi^al- 



1C3 LETTERS TO AND FBOM 

(lermen. Oo the ^vbole, the matter seemed to me 4o 
hang on a most slender point ; and being archbishop of 
Dublin, I thought I was obliged to be for the city ; but 
the majority ^vas for the by-law, and disapproved Al* 
derm an Barlow, who was returned for major. I did 
foresee that tliis would beget ill blood, and did not think 
it fur my lord Duke of Ormondes interest to clasli wiihi 
4he city; and I went to several of his grace's friend^ 
irhom I much.tmst, before the debate in council, and^ 
desired them to consider the matter, and laid the incoD*' 
vcuiency I apprehended before them, and desired thcBii 
to take notice, that I had warned them ; bat they told mc^. 
that they did not foresee any hurt it would be to hia 
grace. And I praj God it may not; though I am afraid 
it may give him some trouble. 

The citizens have taken it heinously ; and, as I Iiearj. 
met to-day, and in common council repealed the hy-lav, 
and have chosen Alderman Barlow again. I think tliem:^ 
wrong in both, and a declaration of enmity against the. 
council and government, which feud is easier begun than 
laid. It is certain the council must disapprove their 
choice, it being against the new rules,, as well as good 
planners: and what other steps will be made to correct 
them, I cannot say ; whereas, if they had appointed a 
committee to view and report what old obsolete by-laws 
were become inconvenient, and repealed this among the 
rest, it would not have given offence; and if they had 
chosen another instead of Barlow, I believe he would 
have been approved, and there had been an end of the 
contest. 

You must know this is made a party affair, as Cohk 
stantiue sets up for a high churchman, which I never 
heard he did before : but this is an inconveniency in 
parties, thut whoever has a private quarrel, ai](d findis 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 188 

himself tooireat, he irnmediatelj becomes a zealous par- 
tizan, and makes his private a public quarrel. 

Perhaps it may not be uDgratefuI, uor perhaps alto- 
gether useless to jou, to know the truth of this matter; 
for I imagine it will be talkid of. 

I believe the generality of the citizens and gentlemen 
of Ireland are looked on as friends to the whiggish in- 
terest. But, it is only so far as to keep out the preten- 
der, -whom they mortally fear with good reason; and so 
inany villanous papers have been spread here, and so 
DRich pains taken to persuade them tliat the tories-desiga 
to bring him in, that it is no wonder they are afraid of 
them; but God be thanked, tliis ministry and parlia- 
■ Brent has pretty well allayed that fear, by their steady 
htid prudent management And if his grace the Duke * 
of Ormond prosecutes the same measures the ministry 
does in Britain (as I believe he will; I persuade myself, 
that the generality here will be as zealous for this as any 
ministry we ever had. 

The death of the Earl of Rochester is a great blow to 
all good men, and even his enemies cannot but do jus- 
tice to his character. What influence it will have on 
public affairs, God only knows. I pray let me have 
your thoughts on it, for I have some fears, that I do not 
find affect other people ; I was of opinion that he con- 
tributed much to keep things steady ; and I wish his 
friends may not want hb influence. I conclude with my 
nrayers for you. 

I ' WILL. DUBLiy, 

t 



R 2 



UO LETTEBS TO AKB FROM 



FROM LORD PETERBOROW. 

aiB, .^Manaoer^ June 21, 1711. 

You were returning me to ages past for some ezgres- 
uons in my letter. I find matter in your's to send yoii 
as far back as the golden age. How came you to frame 
a system (in the times we live in) to govern the world 
by love? 

I was much more surprised at such a notion in your 
first, than to find your opinion altered in your last let- 
1^ ter. My hopes were founded more reasonably upon the 
contrary priaciple. I wish we could keep ourselves 
steady by any ; but I confess it was the hatred and coO' 
tempt so justly conceived against our late governors, that 
gave me some Cttle expectations we might unite, at lea^t 
In order to prevent a relapse. 

The consequences of places not giveo were apparent;, 
the whole party were then dissatisfied ; and when given, 
those are only pleased who have them. This is what the 
Ihonest management of past administrations has brought 
OS to ; but I should not yet despair, if your loving prin- 
.ciple could but have its force among three or four of 
your acquaintance. Never persons bad more reason to 
agree ; nor was it ever in the power of a few men to 
bring greater events to bear, or prevent greater incon- 
.yeoiencies; for such are inevitable, without the nicest 
paoagement : and I believe no person was ever better 
pepared to make this out than myself. 

](^wish before I left England, that I had met, eitlier ia 
your letters or discourse, any thing like what you hint 
in your last : I sliould have found great ease, and you 
.some satisfaction ; for, had you passed these six months 
with me abroad, I conld have madarou sensible, that it 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 171 

were easj to have brought the. character and iofluence 
of an English peer, equal to that of a senator in old 
Home. Methiuks I could have brought it to that pass, 
to have seen a levee of suppliant kings and princes, ex- 
pecting their destinies from us, and submitting to our de- 
crees; but if we come in politics to your necessity of 
leaving the town for want of money to live in it, Lord» 
bow the case will alter ! 

You threaten me with law, and tell roe I might be 
compelled to make my words good. Remember yout 
own insinuations : what if I should leave England in 
a week's time, and summon you in quality of chaplaiu 
and secretary, to be a witness to transactions perhaps of 
the greatest impwtance ; so great, that I should think 
jrou might deserve the l^hopric of Winchester at your 
tetum. Let me know, in a letter directed to Parson's- 
green, the moment you receive this, whether you are 
-ready and willing ; but you must learn to live a month, 
DOW and then, without sleep. As to all other things, 
we should meet with no mortifications abroad, if we 
could 'scape them from home. 

But, without raillery, if ever I can propose to myself 
to be of any great use, I foresee this will be the case. 
This is so much my opinion, that I conclude, if it fall 
out otherwise, I shall never concern myself in any pub- 
lic business in England ; that I shall either leave it for a 
better climate, or marry in a rage, and become the hero 
of the October club. Tours, 

PETERBORQW. 



B 3 



172 LETTERS TO A»D FROM 



TO ARCHBISHOP KmG. 

31Y LORD, London^ July 12, 1711. 

J Kow conceive your grace begius to be a busj per- 
son in council, and parliamcnu and conTocation ; and 
perhaps may be content to be diverted oow and then by 
an idle letter from hence. Wc have an empty town; 
the queen being settled at Windsor, and the ministers 
oAen there. We are so "weary with. expecting farther 
removals, that we begin to drop the diiicourse ; neither 
am I sure, whether those in power may not differ a lit? 
tie in opinion as to the matter. However, it seems 
generally agreed, that there will be many changes before 
next session, and that it is necessary there should.be so. 
My Lord Peterborow has been some time returqed, and 
J have had a good deal of talk with him^ or rather he 
has talked a good deal to me. He is mightily discon-. 
touted with what I. writ to him, pnd which he finds to 
be true, that there seems a general disposition among us 
toward a peace. He thinks his successful negotiations, 
with the emperor and the Thike of. Savoy, have put us 
ill a better condition than ever to continue the war, and 
w ill en<:^agc to convince me, that Spain is yet to be had, 
if we take proper measures. Your grace knows he is a 
pei'BOD of great talents, but dashed with something rest* 
less and capricious in his nature. H« told me he came 
ever without being recalled, and without one servant, 
Ijaving scattered them in several parts of Germany. I 
doubt he will not have credit enough with the ministry to 
ir.ake them follow his plans ; and he is such a sort of 
person as may give good advice, which wise men may 
reasonably reftise to follow. It seems to me that tlie 
ministry lie under a grievous dilemma, from the diffi- 
t!nlly oT coutiotjung the war, aud the danger of an ill 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 178 

peace ; tthich I doubt if hether all their credit with the 
queen and countiy irould support them. under: but my 
]ord tre9surer is a stranger to fear, and has all that cou- 
rage which innocence and good sense can give a man, 
and the. most free from avarice of any one living; both 
which are absolutely necessary for his station in this 
juncture. He was saying a thing to- me some days ago, 
which I :believe is the great maxim he procee^isby, that 
wisdom in public affairs was not, what is commonly 
believed, the forming of schemes with remote views; 
bat the making Jipe of such incidents as happen. It was 
thought my Lord Mar* would have tuceeeded as secre- 
tary upon the Duke of Queensbury's death; but the- 
court seems now disposed to have no third secretary ,t 
which wa9 a useless charge. The queen has been ex- 
tnemely ill, so as for four-and-twenty hours people were 
io great pain ; but she has been since much better, and 
voided abundance of gravel, &c. 

Our expedition under Mr. Hill is said to be toward 
the Bduth Seas; but nothing is known : I told a gicat 
man, who b deepest in tlie'* project of it, that Lhid no 
good opinion of these expeditions, which hitherto never 
succeeded with us. He said, he would venture ten to 

* John Erakiae, the tenth Earl of Mar, was hy Queen Anne made 
colonel of a regiment of foot, knight of tlie thistle, and secretary of 
state for Scotland. He was one of the commissioners for the treaty 
of Union, and was elected one of the sixteen peers in four giiccccding 
j^Iiameots. He was again made secretary of state, Sept. 1, 1713 ^ 
in which ofBcc he was succeeded by tlie Duke of Montrose, Sept. 24, 
171}. Being dismissed from all employment, he retired into Scotland « 
and, at the head of six hundred men, proclaimed the pretender. Hit 
forces being, increased to six or seven thousand men, he fought the 
Duke of Argyll, who commanded the royal troops. The victory was 
left undecided; but the Earl of Mar was forced to take refuge in 
France. He was attainted in 1716, his estate and honours, ^c. being 
forfeited to the crown ; and died at Aix la Chapelle, in 1732. N* 

f Tliere. seems. to have beea none. till Sept. 1, 1713. K 



174 LETTERS TO AIVB FROM 

one upon the miccesB of it, provided do ill accident faap- 
peDed by storms ; and that it was concerted with three 
er four great princes abroad. 

As to the first-fruits, I must inform your grace, thai 
the whole aflfair lies exactly as it did for some months 
past. The duke and his people never thought, or at 
least never meddled in it, until some days before they 
went, and then they were told it was already done ; and 
my lord treasurer directed that it should be an iostruo* 
tion to the lord lieutenant to mentioD-in his speech to 
parliatnent, that the queen had dene it, &e. But they 
took no sort of care to finish Ae matter, and carry tlw 
instrument over with them, which they might have done^ 
bad they begun timely, and applied themselves ; and as 
the bishops superseded me, I ^d not presume to meddle 
farther in it : but I think this may be a lesson, that in 
all such cases as these, it is necessary to have some good 
solicitor, and not leave things wholly to great men : nay, 
so little did the duke engage in this matter, that my 
lord treasurer told me yesterday (although that is a se- 
cret) tliat the very draught Ihey had made upon my apr 
plication was some way or other mislaid between the 
queen and himself, and could not be found ; but how- 
ever, that another should soon be drawn : and his lord- 
ship commanded me to inform your gi*ace, and my lor<fe 
the bishops, that with the first convenience the instrument 
should be prepared and sent over, which your grace will 
please to let them know. I was of opioion with my lord 
treasurer, that it should be done by a deed from the 
queen, without an act of parliament, and that the b'ishops 
should be made a corporation, for the management of it. 
Your grace sees I write with much freedom, because I 
nm sure I can do it safely. 

I have been engaging my lord treasurer and the other 
great men in a project of my own> which they tell me 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 17* 

thejr win embrace, especially his lordship. He is to 
erect acme kind of society, gv academy, under the pa- 
tronage of the ministers and protection of the queen, for 
correcting, enlaiging, polishing, and fixing our language. 
The methods must be left to the society ; only I am 
writing a letter to wj lord treasurer, by way of pn^H>- 
sals, and some general hints^ which I design to publish^ 
and he expects from me. All this may come to nothing-, 
although I find the ingenious and learned men of all my 
acquaintance foil readily in with.it; and so I hope will 
your grace if the derign can be well executed. I would 
desire at leisure some of your grace's thoughts on this 
matter. 

I hope your grace will take advantage of the times» 
and see whether your violent house €i commons will fait 
in with some good law for the benefit of the church, as^ 
their much betters have done it here : and I think the 
convocation could not be better employed, than in con- 
odering what good law is wanting for the church, and 
endeavour to have it passed, rather than in brangling 
upon trifles. The church has so few happy occasions, 
that we ought to let none of then slip. I take up too 
much of your grace's time ; and, therefore, begging 
your prayers and blessings, I remain, with the greatest 
respect, your grace's most dutifiil humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

BiVKBKND SIB, Dublvi, July 25, 1 7] ]. 

Tou must not wonder, that I have been so ill a cor*^ 
respondent of late, being, as I find, in debt to you for 
your's of June the 8th, and July the 12th.' This did 



170 LETTERS TO ANIJ FROM 

not proceed from any Degligence, but from the circum^ 
stances of things here, that were such, that I could not 
return you any satisfactory answer. 

We have now got over the preliminaries of our par- 
liaments and convocation; that is to say, our addresses, 
&C. and as to the parliament, so far as appears t» me^ 
there will be an entire compliance with her majesty's 
occasions, and my Lord Duke of Ormoud's desire ; and 
that funds will be given for two years from Christmas 
next ; by which we shall have the following summer 
ffee from parliamentary attendance, which proves a 
great obstruction both to church and country business. 
As to the convocation, we have no license as yet to act. 
I have heard some whispers, as if a letter of license had 
come over, and was sent back again to be mended, es- 
pecially as to direction about a president. I may inform 
you, that that matter is in her majesty's choice : we have 
on record four licenses ; the first directed to the Arch- 
bishop of Dublin in 1614 ; the other three, that are in 
1 634, 1 662, 1 665, directed to the then lords primates. 
I have pot at present die exact dates ; but I have seen 
the writs, and find the convocation sat in these years. 

His grace tlie Duke of Ormond, in his speech to the 
parliament (which I doubt not but you have seen) men- 
tioned the remittal of the twentieth parts, and the grant 
of the first-fruits, for buying impropriations; but did 
not assume to himself any merit lu the procuring of 
them ; noi; tliat I can find by any intimation, so much 
as insinuated, that the grant m as on his motion ; not- 
withstanding, both in tlie house of lords and convocation, 
some laboured to ascribe the whole to hb grace ; and 
had it not been for the account I had from you, his 
grace must, next to her majesty, have had the entire 
thanks. You'll observe, from tlie lords' address and 
convocation, tliat bis grace is brought in for a share iPb* 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 177 

ihih. But if the case should be otherwise, jci his 
grace is do \ra7 to he blamed. The curreDt nius that 
way ; mid perhaps neither you nor I have bettered our 
Interest here at present, by endeavouring to stop it. 

The conclusion was, that all the arclibishops and bi- 
shops agreed to return tlianks to my lord treasurer of 
Great Britain, by a letter, which all in town have sin;n- 
ed, being convinced, that, next to her majesty's native 
bounty, and zeal for the church, this favour is due to his 
lordship's mediation. 

But they have employed no agent to solicit the 
paariog the act through the offices, believing his lordship 
will take care of that of-his own mere motion, as he did- 
of the grant This is meant as an instance of their great 
confidence of his lordship's concern for thorn, which 
makes it needless that any should intermeddle in what 
be has undertaken. 

If his lordship thinks fit to return any answer to the 
bishops, I wish he would take some occasion to mention 
you ill it ; for that would justify you, and convince the 
bishops, some of whom, perhaps, suspect tlie truth of 
what you said, of the first-fruits and twentieth parts be- 
ing granted before his grace the Duke of Ormond was 
declared lord lieutenant of Ireland. 

I cannot at present write of several matters, that pei*- 
Inps I may have opportunity to communicate to you. I 
faave sent with this the lords' and the convocation's ad* 
dress to my lord duke. 

If it may.be proper, I would have my most humble 
respects to be laid before my lord treasurer. You may 
be sure I am hu most humble servant, and shall never 
forget the advantages he has been the author . of to the 
cliurch and state : and yet I believe, if it please God to 
prolong his life, greater things may be expected from 
hun ; my prayers shall not be wanting. 



178 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

As for mjself, I will saj more some other time : and 
for the present shall onlj assure you, that I am, sir, 
Your affectionate humble servant, and brother, 

WILLIAM DUBLINi 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

IdssenhaUt JuUf 28, 1711. 
Since mj Lord Duke of Ormond's arrival, I have 
been so continually hurried with company, that I retired 
here for two or three days. The preliminanes of our 
parliament are now over f that is to say, addresses, &c 
and I find the usual funds will be granted, I think 
unanioKNisly, for two years from Christmas next, which 
is all the Duke of Ormond desires. I do not see mudi 
more will be done. You will observe several reflections 
are in the addresses on the late management here, in 
which the Earl of Anglesej' and I differed. If we 
could impeach, as you can in Great Britain, and bring 
the ma]efact<N^ to account, I slionld be for it with all 
my endeavour ; but to show our ill will, when we can 
do no more, seems to be no good policy in a dependent 
people, and that can have no other effect than to pro- 
voke revenge without the prospect of redress ; of which 
we have two fatal instances. I reckon, that every diief 
governor, who is sent here, comes with a design to serve, 
first those who sent him ; and that our good only must 
be so far considered, as it is subservient to the main de« 
sign. The only difference between govemcHna, as to us^ 
is to have a good natured man, that has some interest ia 
our prosperity, and will not oppress us unnecessarily ; 
and such i^his grace. But I doubt, whether even that 
will not be an objection against him on your side of the* 



DOCTOR SWIFT. I7i 

vater: fin* I have fouDd that those governors, that 
gained most on the liberties of the kingdom, are reck- 
oned the best ; and therefore it concerns us to be on our 
guard against all governors, and to provoke as little as 
we can. For he that cannot revenge himself, acts the 
vise part, when he dissembles, and passes over injuries. 
In my opinion, the best that has happened to us is, 
that the parliament grants tiie funds for two years $ for 
. by these means we shall have one summer to ourselves 
to do our church and country business, f have not been 
able to visit my diocese ecclesiatimy as I used to do, the 
last diree years, for want of such a recess. I hope the 
parliament of Great Britain will not resume the yam 
blU while they continue the same. The lords have not 
sat above four or five days, and are adjourned till Mon- 
day next ; so we have no heads of bills brought into our 
house aa yet : but if any be relating to the church, I 
will do my endeavour to give you satisfaction. 

Our letter isVome over for the remittal of the twen** 
tieth parts, and granting the first-fruits for buying im- 
propriations, and purchasing^lebes, which will be a great 
ease to the clergy, and a benefit to the church. We 
want glebes more than the impropriations ; and I am for 
. buying them first, where wanting ; for without them, re- 
sidence is impossible; and besides, I look upon it as a 
security to tithes, that the laity have a share in them ; 
and therefore I am not for purchasing them, but where 
they are absolutely necessary. 

We shall, I believe, have some coJbnderations of me-^ 
thods to convert the natives ; but I do not find that it 
is desired by all that they should be converted. There 
Is a party among us, that have little sense of religion, 
and heartily hate the church : these would have the na- 
tives made protestants; but such as themselves are dead*^ 
ty afraid they should come into the church, because, sagr 



18Q LETTERS TO AI^D FROM 

they, this would strengthen tlie church too mucl). Othen 
would have them come in, but can't approve of the me- 
thods proposed, which are to preach to them io their own 
]anguaa;e, and have the service in Irish, as our owu ct'* 
nons require. So that, between them, I am afraid that' 
little will be done. I am, Sir, your's, &c. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

IffTLORD, London^ Aug. 15,1711. 

I HATE been at Windsor a fortnight, from whence I' 
i^tumed two days ago, and met a letter at my lodgingi 
from your grace, dated July 25, I was told it was sent 
to Mr. Manly's house (your postmaster^s son) and by 
him to me ; so that I suppose your grace did not direct* 
to Mr. Lewis as formerly, otherwise I should have had 
it at Windsor. The ministers go usually down to Wind- 
sor on Saturday, and return on Monday or Tuesday fol- 
lowing. I had little opportunity of talking with my lord 
treax-urer, seeing him only at court, or at supper at third 
places, or in much company at his own lodgings. Yes- 
terday I went, to visit him after dinner, but did not stay^ 
above an hour, because business called him out I read 
to him that part of your grace's letter which expresses 
your grace's respects to bim, and he received them per- 
fectly well. He told me, he had lately received a letter 
from the bishops of Ireland, subscribed (as I remember) 
by seventeen, acknowledging his favour about the firsts 
fruits. I told his lordship, '' that some people in Iiv> 
land doubted whether the queen had granted them be- 
fore the Duke of Ormond was declared lieutenant." 
^ Yes," he said, " sure I remembered it was immediate- 
ly upon my application." I said, ^ I heard the duke' 



DOCTOR SWIFT. jai 

bimself took no merit on that account." He answered, 
No, he was sure he did not, he was the honestest gentle- 
man alive ; but, said he, " it is the queen tliat did it, and 
she alone shall have the merit." 

And I must be so free as to tell jour grace that thft 
grudging, ungrateful manner of some people, which up- 
on several occasions I could not but give him hints of 
lor my justification, has not been prudent. I am sure, 
it has hindered me from anj thoughts of pursuing another 
affair of yet greater consequence, which I had good hopes 
of compassing. What can be the matter with those peo- 
ple ? do I ask either money or thanks of them ? have I 
done any hurt to the business ? My lord treasurer told 
me he bad sent the letter over about the first-fruits. I 
never inquired into the particulars : he says he will veiy 
soon answer the bishop's letter to himself, and will show 
roe both letter and answer ; but I shall not put him in 
mind, unless he remembers it of his own accord. I^'ori 
with great submission to your grace, can I pi-evail on'my 
own pride to de8ii*e he would make any mention of me in 
his answer. Your grace is convinced, that unless I write 
a heap of lies, the queen had granted tliat affair before 
my lord duke was named. I desire to convince nobody 
else ; and, since the thing is done, it is not of any conse* 
quence who were instrumental in it. I could not for- 
bear yesterday reminding my lord treasurer of what I 
said to Mr. Southwell before his lordship, when he came 
to take his leave before he went to Ireland ; which waa^ 
that I hoped Mr. Southwell would let the bishops and 
clergy of Ireland know, that my lord treasurer had long 
since (before the duke was governor) prevailed on the 
queen to remit the first-fruits, &c. and tliat it was his 
lordship's work, as the grant of the same favour in Eng- 
land had formerly been. My lord treasurer did then 
acknowledge it before Mr. Southwell^ and I think Mr. 



182 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Southwell should have acted accorduiglj; but there is 
a great deal of ignorauce, as well as ill will, in all thitf 
matter. The Diike of Orraond himself, had he engaged 
ID it, could 0DI7 act as a solicitor. Every body knows, 
that the lord ti-easurer, in such cases, must be applied to 
^and only he) by the greatest persons. I should think 
die people of Ireland might rather be pleased to see one 
of their own country able to find some credit at court, 
and in a capacity to serve them, especially one who does 
it without any other prospect than that of serving them. 
I know not any of the bishops from whom I can expect 
any favour, and there are not many upon whom a man 
of any figure could have such designs : but I will be re? 
venged ; Tor whenever it lies in my power, I will serve 
the church and kingdom, although they should use me 
much worse. I shall dine to-morrow with the lord trea- 
surer, and perhaps I may then see the answer he is to 
write. I thought to have sent this letter away to-night; 
but I have been interrupted by business. I go to Wind- 
sor again on Saturday for a day or two, but I will leave 
this behind to be sent to the post. 

August 21. I had wrote thus far, and was forced to 
leave off, being hurried away to Windsor by my lord 
treasurer, from whence I returned but last niglit His 
lordship gave me a paper, which he said he had promis- 
ed me. I put it in my pocket, thinking it was about 
something else we had been talking over ; and I never 
looked into it until just now, when I find it to be my 
lord primate's letter to liis lordship, with an enclosed one 
from the bishops. With submissiou, I take it to be dry 
enough, although I shall not tell his lordship so. They 
say, " they are informed his lordship had a great part 
in," etc. I think they should either have told who it 
was informed them so, since it was a person commission- 
ed by themselves : or, at least, have said they were as- 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 183 

sured. Aod as for those words, a great part, I know no- 
|iod7 else bad any, except the queen herself. I cannot 
tell whether mj lord has writ an answer, having said no- 
thing to him of it since he gave me the letters ; nor shall 
I desh:e to see it. 

As to the convocation, I remember both my lord trea- 
surer and Mr. St. John spdie to me about the matter, 
. and were of the same opinion with your grace, that it 
was wholly in the queen's choice. I excused giving my 
opinion, being wholly uninformed; and I have heard 
nothing of it since. 

- My lord keeper gave me yesterday a bundle of Irish 
votes at Windsor, and we talked a good deal about the 
quarrel between the lords and commons : I said the fault 
lay in not dissolving the parliament ; which I had men- 
tioDed to the Duke of Ormond, and often to some of 
those who were thought to have most credit with him. 
But they seemed to believe, as I did, that any Irish par- 
liament would yield to any thing that any chief gover- 
nor pleased ; and so it would be a needless trouble. 

We reckon for certain, that Mr. Hill with his fleet is 
gone to Q^uebec. 

Mrs. Masham is every minute expecting to lie in. 

Pray God preserve her life, which is of great imporlr 

ance. I am, with the greatest respect, my lord. 

Tour grace^s most dutiful ^nd most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

The queen has got a light fit of the gout. The priyy 
£eal is not yet disposed of. 



18i LETTERS TO AND FROM 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MY LORD, Aug, 26, 1711. 

Perhaps you will be content to know some circum- 
stances of aflfairs bere.^ The Duke of Somerset usually 
leaves Windsor on Saturday, when the ministers go doWa 
thither, and returns not until thej are gone. On Sun- 
day sevennight, contrary to custom, he was at Windsdr, 
and u cabinet council was to be held at night ; but, after 
waiting a long time, word was brought out, that then 
would be no cabinet. Next day it was held, and theo 
Uie duke went to a horse-race about three miles oAL 
This began to be whispered ; and at my return to town 
ihcy had got it in the city ; but not the reason ; whadi 
was, that Mr. Secretary^ St. John refused to sit if the 
duke was there. Last Sunday the duke was there 
again, but did not offer to come to the cabinet, which 
<was held without him. I hear the duke was advised by 
his friends of tiie other party to take this step. The se- 
cretary said to some of his acquaintance, that he would 
not sit with a man who had so often betrayed them, dzc 
You know the Duchess of Somerset is a great favourite, 
and has got the Duchess of Marlborough's key. She b 
insinuating, and a woman of intrigue ; and will, I W 
lieve, do what ill offices she can to the secretary. They 
\rould have hindered her coming in ; but the queen said, 
^* if it were so that she could not have what servants she 
liked, she did not find how her condition was mended.** 
I take the safety of the present ministry to consist in the 
agreement of three great men, lord keeper, lord treasu- 
rer, and Mr. Secretary ; and so I have often told them 
together between jest and earnest, and two of them sepa- 

* Sec Journtl to Stella, August 13, 1711. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. Itb 

lately, vitli more seriousness. And I think they en- 
tirely love one another, as their differences are not of 
ireight to break their union. They vary a little about 
their notions of a certain general.* I will not say more 
at this distance. I do not see well how they can be 
without the secretary, who has very great abilities both 
for the cabuiet and parliament The tories in the city 
axe a little discontented, that no fartlier changes are 
made in employments, of which I cannot learn the se- 
cret, although I have heard several, and from such who 
night tell the true one if they would : one is, that lord 
treasurer professes he is at a loss to find persons qualified 
for several places: another (which is less believed) that 
the queen interposes : a tliird, that it is a trimming dis- 
position. I am apt to think that he finds the call for 
employments greater than he can answer, if there were 
five times as many to dispose of; and I know particu- 
larly that he dblikes very much the notion of people, 
that every one is to be turned out. The treasurer is 
much the greatest minister I ever knew ; i-egular in life^ 
with a true sense of religion, an excellent scholar, and a 
good divine, of a very mild and affable disposition, in< 
trepid in his notions, and indefatigable in business, an ut- 
ter despiser of money for himself, yet frugal (perhaps to 
an extremity) for tlie public. In private company, he 
is wholly disengaged, and very facetious, like one who 
has no business at all. He never wants a reserve upon 
any emergency, which would appear desperate to others ; 
and makes little use of those thousand projectors and 
schematjsts who arc daily plying him with their visiousy 
but to be thoroughly convinced, by the comparison, that 
his own notions are the best. I am, my lord, with the 

greatest respect. 

Your grace^s roost obedient, &c» 

* The Duke of MarIbor<nigli. N. 
VOL, XV. I 



186 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

BEVEBEND SIR, StVCrds^ Sifi. 1, 1711. 

I HAVE before inc jour^s of the 15th and 2l8t, for 
which I return you my hearty thanks. I perceire you 
have the votes of our commons here, and I suppose the 
address of the lords, that gave occasion to them. I must 
let you know that I was very positive against the clause 
that provoked them, and kept the house in debate about 
it at least an hour, and spoke so often, that I was 
asliamed of myself; yet there were but three negatives 
to it. I used several arguments against the lords, con- 
curring with tlK'ir committee, and foretold all that has 
happened upon it. Upon which I was much out of fa- 
vour witli the house for some time; and industiy has 
lieen used, as I was informed, to persuade my lord duke 
that what I did was in opposition to his interest : but 
when I had the opportunity to discoui'se his grace last, 
he was of another opinion. And in tiiith, my regard to 
his grace*s interest was the principal reason of opposing 
a clause, that I foresaw nngfit embaixass his business 
here. 

There happened another affair relating to one Lang- 
ton, of whom I formerly gave yon some account. The 
commons found him on the establishment for a small pen- 
sion ; and having an ill notion of him and his infonna* 
tions, they took this occasion to examine liis merits. lo 
order to which, they sent up a message to the lords, to 
desire leave of Jud«^e Coste, who had taken his exami- 
nations, and those of his witnesses, to come down, and iO' 
form the committee : and this seemed the more necessa- 
ry, because the examinations taken by the council were 
bunied : biit the lords refused to let the judge go down. 
tw drcMOfl, auH passed a vote to take the r.xamination ol 



BOCTOR SVlnFT. 28J 

the matter into their haods. Thifl» I foresaw, might "^ 
prove another bone of coDteDtion, and did oppose it, but 
with the same success as tlie former. Laugtou pleaded 
privilege, as chaplain to the bishop of Ossory, and re^ 
fused to a[^ar before the commons : on which they 
passed the angry resolves 70a will find in their votes. 
.The examination of this matter has employed much of 
tbe lord's time to very little purpose. My opposing this 
made an objection against me by some, that wish 
my advice bad been taken. ■ 
?i The business of the city of Dublin, of which I gave 
ymtBn account formerly, embroils us very much. We 
teve at the council rejected four mayors and eight she- 
jiflii all regularly elected by the city ; some of them the 
test citizens in the town, and much in tlie interest of Uie 
gBVerament We begin to be sick of it, and I am afraid, 
that it may beget ill blood, and come into parliament 
here. We have rejected the elected magistrates in foui' 
other corporations, which adds to the noise. I own there 
were good reasons for rejecting some of them : but I can- 
not say the same for Dtibiin. I wish this may not prove 
uneasy to us. 

There was a motion made at tlie sessions for Uie coun- 
ty of Dublin, at Kilmainham, for an address of thanks to 
her majesty for sending his grace the Duke of Ormond 
to be our chief governor. Nine of the justices, tliat is, 
all that wei-e then present, agreed to it, and an address 
was ordered to be drawn, which was brought next morn- 
ing into couil, and tlien there were above a score, that 
aeemed to have come on purpose, and promised, that it 
should be rejected by a majonty ; for tliis reason only, 
that it would entail a necessity on them to address in fa- 
vour of every new lord lieutenant, or disoblige him. 
For which reason it was rejected also in my Lord Whar- 
ton's time. This no way^ concerns his grace himself: 



488 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

but in mj opioiou, ought to lessen the esteem of some 
person's maDBgement, that attempt things, which would be 
better let alone, where they cannot be can-ied without 
opposition. 

The bouse of commons seem to have received ill in- 
presuons of some. They reckon my lord duke's advi- 
ters, as if they were secretly his enemies, and designed 
to betray him. They generally see^i persuaded, that 
his grace is a sincere honest man, and most in the inte* 
rest of the kingdom of any chief governor they can 
ever expect ; and that therefore they ought to support 
bim to the utmost of their power, and declare, that the 
quarrels his enemies raise, shall not hinder them fraai 
doing whatever he shall reasonably desure from tliem» 
or her majesty's service require; and as an iostance 
of their sincerity in this, they have granted funds fiir 
two years from Christmas last ; whereas at firet they 
intended only two years from the preceding 24th of 
June. 

I have been preaching a doctrine that seems strange 
to some : it is that her majesty, and the mioistxy, will 
be inclined to employ such as may be a help and sup- 
port to their interest, and not a clog. I mean, that 
these subalterns should, by their prudence and dexteri- 
ty, be able to remove any misunderstandings that maj 
be between the government and the people, and help to 
beget in them a good notion of the ministry ; and, by all 
means, avoid such things as may embarrass or beget 
jealousies ; so that tlie burden or odium may not fall on 
tlie minbtry, where any harsh things happen to be done : 
that it seems to me to be the duty of those in posts, to 
avoid unnecessary disputes, and not to expect that the 
ministry will interpose to extricate them, when they, 
without necessity, have involved themselves. But some 
are of a difiercnt opiniou, and seem to think, that they 



\ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 189 

bave no more to do irhen they meet with difficultiies, 
perhaps of their own creating, than to call in the minis- 
trj, and desire them to decide the matter bj power : a 
method that I do not approve, nor has it succeeded well 
with former governors here : witness Lord Sydney, and 
Lord Wharton, in the case of the convocation. 

There really needs but one thing to quiet the people 
tf Ireland, and it is to convince them, that there is no 
eye to the pretender. Great industry has been, and still 
jus used to bugbear them with that fear. I believe it is 
over with you ; but it will require time and prudent 
methods to quiet the people here, that have been posr 
aened for twenty-two years with a continual apprehen- 
rfoD, that he is at the door, and that a certain kind of 
people designed to bring him in. The circumstances of 
Ihia kingdom, from what tliey saw and felt under King 
James, make the di-ead of him much greater than it can 
. be with you. 

As to our convocati' n, a letter came from her majesty 
to give us license to act ; but it nowise pleased some 
people, and so it was sent back to be modelled to theif 
mind, but returned again without alteration. It came 
not to us till the day the parliament adjourned. I was 
at that time obliged to attend the council, there being a 
hearing of the quakers against a bill for recovering 
tithes. In my absence they adjourned till the meeting 
of the parliament, without so much as voting thanks 
or appointing a committee. The tlihigs that displeased 
some in the license were, first, that my lonl primate was 
not the sole president, so as to appoint whom be pleased 
to act in his absence. The second was, the considera- 
tion of proper methods to convert the natives, against 
which some have set themselves with all their might. 
The third is what concerns pluralities^ and residence, 
wbidi some have not patience to hear of. The lower 



J|9i) LETTERS TO AND FROM 

house seem to have the matter more )it heart ; for they 
have appointed committees during the recess, and are 
doing something. 

I cannot hut admire, that you should be at a loss to 
liud what is the matter Trith those, that would neither 
allow jou, Ror any one else, to get any thing for the ser- 
vice of the church, or the public. It is, with submis" 
sion, the silliest query I ever found made by Dr. SwifL 
You know there are some, that would assume to them- 
selves to be the only churchmen and managers, and caib- 
not endure that any thing should be done but by them- 
selves, and in their own way; and had rather that all 
good things proposed should miscarry, than be thought 
to come from other hands than their own : whose buri- 
ness is to lessen every body else, and obstruct whatever 
is attempted, though of the greatest advantage to church 
and state, if it be not from their own party. And yet, 
so far as I have hitherto observed, J do not remember 
any instance of their proposing, much less prosecuting 
irith success, any thing for the public good. They seem 
to have a much better hand at obstructing others, and 
embarrassing alTairs, than at proposing or prosecuting 
any good design. 

These seem as uneasy that more alterations are not 
made here, as those you mention are with you. The 
reason is very plain, they would fain get into employ- 
ments, which cannot be without removes; but I have 
often observed, that none are more eager for posts, than 
buch as are least fit for them. I do not see how a new 
parliament would much mend things here ; for there is 
little choice of men : perhaps it might be for the worse, 
rebus sic stantibus ; though I always thought the honest 
part, is to allow the people to speak their sense on the 
change of affairs by new representatives. I do not find, 
that those that have embarrassed the present, designed a 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 1,91 

new one ; but they ihou^lit the commons so passive, 
that they might carry what they pleased, whatever their 
design might be. If they prosecute the present mear 
flures^ I believe they will make new ones necesBar}% 
when there shall be occasion to have a new session. 

I pray most heartily for her majesty, and her minis- 
ters ; and am inclined to believe, that it is one of the most 
difficult parts of their present circumstances, to find 
proper instruments to execute their good intentions, not- 
withstanding the great crowds that offer themselves; 
particularly, my lord treasurer's welfare is at heart with 
ail good men ; I am sure, with none more than, rever- 
end sir, &c. 

WILL. DUBLLS^. 



niOM THE SAJVIE. 

BEVEREND sin, Stifords, Sqpt 1, 1721. 

I GOT a little retirement here, and made use of it, to 
write you by the present packet."^ I promised to say 
something as to your own afTaii-s ; and the first thing is^ 
not to neglect yourself on this occasion, but to make use 
of the favour and interest you have at present to pro- 
cure you some preferment that may be called a seitlc- 
nent Years come on, and after a certain age, if a 
mau be not in a station that may be a step to a better, 
he seldom goes higher. It is with men as with beauties^ 
if they pass the flower, they grow stale, and lie for ever 
Delected. I know you are not ambitious ; but it is 
prudence, not ambition, to get into a station, that may 
make a man easy, and prevent contempt when he grows 

* Thif ifl tbe isiiie date ai that of the preceding. N. 



192 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

IP years. Tou certainly may now have an opportuiA- 
tj to provide for yourself, and I entreat you not to ne- 
glect it. 

The second thing that I would desire you to consider 
i^ that God has pven you parts and learning, and a 
happy turn of mind ; and that you are answerable for 
those talents to God : and therefore I advise you, and 
believe it to be your duly, to set yourself to some serious 
and useful subject in your profession, and to manage it 
so, that it may be of use to the world. I am persuaded 
that if you will apply yourself this way, you are wdl 
able to do it ; and that your knowledge t>f the worlcl 
and reading, will enable you to furnish such a piec^ 
with such uncommon remarks, as will render it both pro* 
fitable and agreeable, above most things that pass the 
press. Say not, that most subjects in divinity are ex- 
hausted ; for if you look into Dr. Wilkins's Heads of 
Matters, which you will find in his ** Gift of Preaching,'' 
you will be surprised to find so many necessary and 
useiiil heads, that no authors have meddled with. There 
are some common themes, that have employed multitudes 
of authors ; but the most curious and difficult are in ft 
manner untouched, and a good genius will not fail to 
produce semetiog new and surprising on the most trite, 
much more on those that others have avoided, merelj 
because they were above their parts. 

Assure yourself, that your interest, as well as duty, 
requires this from you ; and you will find, that it will 
answer some objections against you, if you thus show the 
world that you have patience and comprehension of 
thought, to go through with such a subject of weight 
and learning. 

Tou will pardon me this freedom, which I assure yoa 
proceeds from a sincere kindness, and true value that I 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 193 

ive for you. i will add do more, but 1x17 hearty 
ray era for you. I am, Dr. Swift, 

Your's, 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



DR. FRANCIS ATTERBURY, DEAN OF 

CHRIST CHURCH. 

8IB, Sqd. 1, 1711. 

1 coNGRATULATs With the College, the univers^lty, 
id the kingdom, and condole with myself, upon your 
5W dignity.* The virtue I would affect by putting 
y own interests out of the case has failed me in this 
Acture. I only consider that I sliall want your con- 
srsation, your friendship, your protection, and your 
K>d oiHces, when I can least spare tlicm.f I would 

* The Deanery of Christ Church, to whieb Dr. Attcrbiiry was- 
omoted from that of Carlisle. N. 

f As the inlimacy between these two great men had not then been- 
l<Hi£ standing, it may be amusing to trace its rise and progress- 
bout four montlis before the date of tliis letter. Swift had takea 
doings at Chelsea. " I got here," says he, *• with Patrick and my 
fftmantua, for sixpence, and pay six shillings a week for one nlly 
om, witl) confounded coarse sheets. I lodge just over against Dr. 
tterbury's house : and yet perhaps I shall not like the place tlie 
itter for that." Journal to Stella, April 26, 1711. "Mr. Harley 
;cu8ed his coming and Attcrbury was not there [at the Westministec 
liner; J and I cared not for tlie rest.*' May 1. ** I have just nov 
compliment from Dean Atterbury^s lady, to command the garden 
id library, and whatever tlie bouse affords ; but the dean is in town 
Itli his convocation." Ibid.—** I sent over to Mrs. Atterbury, to 
tow whether I might wait on her, but she is gone a visiting ; we 
ive exchanged some compliments; but I have not seen her yet.** 
Lay 2. — ** 1 did not go to town to-day, it was so terrible rainy; nos. 
ivel.slirred out of my room till eight this evening; when I crossed! 
e way, to see Mrs. Atterbury, and thank her for her civilities* 
M would, needs kad me some veal and small beer and ale to-day at 

1 2. 



194 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

have come among the crowd of those who make 
compliments on this occasion, if I could have brou] 



dlnoer.** May 3.—" Dr. Frelnd came this morning to visit . 
bury*! ladj and children, as physician ; and persuaded me to 
town in his chariot.*' May 9.—*' Since 1 came home, 1 hav« 
sitting with the prolocutor Dean Atterbury, who u my neig 
over the waj, but generally keeps in town with his convoca 
May 14.—** I dined with Mr. Prior to-day at his house, with 
Atterbury and others.*' May 16.-*'* I sat with Dean Atterfau 
one o'clock, after I came home.*' May 18. — ** I stayed at hoi 
five o'clock, and dined with Dean Atterbury ; then went by wi 
Mr. Harley's, where the Saturday's club was met" May 
** This is the first wet walk I have had in a month's time that I 
here; however, I got to bed, after a short visit to Atterbury.** 
21. — **^ My lord (Oxford) set me down at a cofte-house, wi 
waited for the Dean of Carlisle's chariot to bring me to CheUe 
it has rained prodigiously all this afternoon. The dean did no' 
himself, but sent me his chariot; which has cost me two shilli 
the coachman ; and so I am got home ; and Lord knows what 
come of Patrick !*' May 25.—" It was bloody hot walking tc 
and I was so lasy I dined where my new gown was, at Mra 
homrigh's, and came back like a fool, and the Dean of Carlii 
Bitten with me till eleven." May 28.—" I am proposing to m; 
to erect a society or academy for correcting and settling on 
guage ; that we may not perpetually be changing as we do. 1 
ters mightily into it ; so does the Dean of Carlisle." June 28.- 
Gastrell and I dined by invitation with the Dean of Carlisle." 
23.—*' They still keep my neighbour Atterbury in suspense abo 
Deanery of Christ Church, which has been above six months n 
and he is heartily angry.** June 26.—" This is the last nigh 
at Chelsea; and I got home early, and sat two hours with thi 
and ate victuals, having had a very scurvy dinner.'* July 4. — * 
day I left Chelsea for good.** July 5.—" I walked to Chelae 
was there by nine this morning ; and the Dean of Carlisle 
crossed the water to Battersea, and went in his chariot to Greei 
where we dined at Dr. Ga8trell*8, and passed the afternoon at '. 
ham, at the Dean of Canterbury*s ; and there I saw MoU 
hope, who is grown monstrously tall, but not so handsome as f 
ly. It is the first little rambling journey I have bad this si 
about London ; and they are the agreeablest pastimes one can 
in a friend's coach and good company.** July 14.—" Dean A 
ry sent tci me, to dine with him at Chelsea ; I refbsed his coac 
walked ; and am come back by seven.** July 19.—" The D 
Qi^Xllitcmwithmett-day tin three.*' Aog. 21.— " I walked 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 195 

cheerful countenance with me. I am fall of envy. It 
IB too much, in so bad an age, for a person so inclined, 
and so able to do good, to have so great a scene of 
diowing his inclinations and abilities. 

If great ministers take up this exploded custom of re- 
warding merit, I must retire to Ireland, and wait for 
better times. The college and you ought to pray for 
another change at court, otherwise I can easily foretell 
that their joy and your quiet will be short. Let me 
advise you to place your books in moveable cases : lay 
In no great stock of wine, nor make any great alterations 
in your lodgings at Christ Churcli, unless you are sure 
they are such as your successor will approve and pay 
for. I am afraid the poor college little thinks of this, 
'' Qui nunc te fiuntur credulus auredJ*^ 

I am going to Windsor with Mr. Secretary ;* and 
hope to wait on you either at Bridewellf or Chelsea.^ 

to Chelsea, and dined with the Dean of Carlisle, who is laid up with 
the gout It is now fixed, that he is to be Dean of Christ Church in 
Oxford. I was advising him to use his interest to prevent any inison- 
derstanding between our ministers; but he is too wise to meddle 
though he fears the thing and the consequences as much as I. He 
will get into his own quiet deanery, and leave them to themselves ; 
and he is in the right" Aug. 28.—*' To night at six, Dr. Atterbury, 
and Prior, and I, and Dr. Freind, met at Dr. Freind*s house at West- 
Buniter, who is master of the school : there we sat till one, and were 
good enough company. Feb. 1, 17]1-12.— ** I visited the secretary, 
and then walked to Chelsea, to dine with the Dean of Christ Church, 
who was engaged to Lord Orrery, with some other Christ Church 
men. He made me go with him, whether I would or no ; for 
they have this long time admitted me a Christ Church man.** March 
13, 1712.—** I walked this morning to Chelsea, to see Dr. Attcrbury, 
Dean of Christ Church ; 1 had businefis with him, about entering Mr. 
Fitxmaurice, Lord Kerry*6 son, into his college.** Feb. 24, r7i2-19'. 

N. 

* Mr. St. John. See in the Journal to Stella, Sept. 1, 1711, a par^ 
ticular account of Swift*8 manner of passing that day. N. 

f Where Dr. Atterbury resided as preacher. N. 

i See Mr. Lyson^s Environs of London, vol. ii. p. I33L K. 

1 3 



106 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

I am, villi great respect, and esteem, sir, your most ohe- 
dieot and most obliged kumble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

Mt LORD, Windsor Castle^ October 1, 1711. 

I HAD the honour of a long letter from your grace 
about a mouth ago, which I forcbore acknowledging 
sooner, because I have beeu ever since perpetually 
tossed between this and London, and pai'tly because 
there had nothing happened tliat might make a letter 
worthy the perusal. It is the opinion of some great 
persons here, that the words which the house of com- 
mons took amiss in your address, might very well bear 
SMI application that concerned only my Lord Wharton. 
T find they arc against my opinion, tliat a new parlia* 
nient should have been called ,' but all agree it must now 
be dissolved : but, in short, we are so extremely busy 
here, that nothing of Ireland is talked on above a day 
or two ; that of the city election I have oftenest heard 
of; and the proceeding of your court in it, it is thought, 
might have been wiser. I find your grace seems to b& 
of my opinion, and so I told my lord treasurer. I thiuk 
your Kllmainliam project of an address was a very fool- 
ish one, and that for the reason of those 'ji'ho were against 
it. I hope Ireland will soon be equally convinced with 
us here, that, if the pretender be in any body's thoughti^ 
it is of tiiose they least dream, and who now are in do 
condition of doing mischief to any but themselves. As 
for your convocation, I believe every thing there will 
terminate In good wishes. You can do nothing now» 
and will not meet again these two years i and then, I nip^ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 197 

pose, only to give moQej, and away. There should, 
methiaka, id the interval, be some proposals considered 
and a«Teed upon by the bishops and principal men of 
the clergy^ to have all ready against the next meeting; 
«nd even that I despair of, for a thousand reasons too 
tedious to mention. 

My admiring at the odd proceedings of tliose among 
the bishops and clergy who are angiy with me for getting 
their first-fruits, was but a form of speech. I cannot 
ahcerely wonder at any proceedings in numbers of meu, 
«Bd especially (I must venture to say so) in Ireland. 
Heantime, it is a good jest fo hear my lord treasurer 
saying often, before a deal of company, " that it was I 
ihat got tlie clergy of Ireland their first-fruits ;*' and 
generally with Uiis addition, ** that it was before the 
Duke of Ormoud was declared lord lieutenant." His 
lordship has- long designed an answer to the letter he re- 
ceived from the bishops ; he has told me ten times, ** he 
would do it to-morrow.^' He goes to London this day» 
but I continue here for a week. I shall refresh his me- 
nory, and engage my Lord Harley, his son, to do so too. 

I suppose your grace cannot but hear In general of 
some steps that are making toward a peace. There came 
out some time ago an account of Mr. Prior's journey 
to France, pretended to be a translation ; it is a pure in- 
Tentioii, from the beginning to the end. I will let your 
grace into the scci-et of it. The clamours of a party 
against any peace without Spain, and railing at the 
Bioistry, as if they desigived to ruin us, occasioned that 
production, out of indignity and contempt, by way of 
furnishing fools with something to talk of; and it has 
had a ver^ great effect. Mean time, your grace may 
count that a peace is going forward very fast. Mr. 
Prior was actually in France ; and there are now two 
BiDisters from that court in London, which you may bfi 



19S LETTERS TO AND FROM 

pretty sure o( if yaa believe what I tell jrou, that I 
supped with them mjself in the house where I am now 
writing, Saturday last; neither do I find it to be a very 
great secret; for there were two gentlemen more with us 
beside the inviter. However, I deare your grace to 
aaj nothing of it, because it may look like lightness in 
Die to tell it : Mr. Prior was with us too, but what their 
names are I cannot tell ; for I believe those they passed 
by when I was there are not their real ones. All mat- 
ters are agreed between France and us^ and very much 
to the advantage and honour of England ; but I believe^ 
DO farther steps will be taken without giving notice to 
the allies. I do not tell you one syllable, as coming from 
any great minister ; and therefore I do not betray them* 
But, there are other ways of picking out things in a 
court : however, I must desire you will not discover 
any of these little particulars, nor cite me upon any 
account at all ; for, great men may think I tell things 
firom them, although I have them from other hands; in 
which last case only, I venture to repeat them to one 
I can confide in, and one at so great a distance as your 
grace. 

I humbly thank your grace for the good opinion you 
are pleased to have of roe ; and for your advice, which 
seems to be wholly grounded on it. As to the first, 
which relates to my fortune, I ^halJ never be able lo 
make myself believed bow indifferent I am about it, 
I sometimes have the pleasure of making that of othen; 
and I fear it is too great a pleasure to be a virtue, at 
least in me. Perhaps in Ireland, I may not be able to 
prevent contempt any other way than by making my 
fortune ; but then it is my comfort, that contempt in 
Ireland will be no sort of mortification to me. When I 
was last in Ireland, I was above half the time retired to 
one scurvy acre of ground ; and I always left it with 



DOCTOR SWIFT. IMT 

regret. I am as well received and kDowo at court, as 
perhaps any man ever was of raj level ; I have formerly 
been the like. I left it then, and will perhaps leave it 
DOW (when thej please to let me) without any concern, 
but what a few months will remove. It is my maxim 
to leave ^at ministers to do as they please ; and if I 
cannot distinguish myself enough by being useful in 
such a way as becomes a man of conscience and honour, 
I can do no more ; for I never will solicit for myself 
ahhougfa I often do Ux others. 

• The other part of your grace's advice, to be some 
way useful to the church and the public by any talent 
yoa are pleased to think I possess, is the only thing for 
which I should desire some settlement that would make 
ne full master of my time. I have often thought of 
some subjects, wherein I believe I might succeed : but, 
my lord, to ask a man floating at sea what he designed 
to do when he goes on shore, is too hasty a question : let 
Idm get there fii-st, and rest and dry himself, and then 
look about him. I have been pretty well known to 
aereral great men in my life ; and it was their duty, if 
they thought I might have been of use, to put me into a 
capacity for it ; but I never yet knew one great man in 
my life, who was not every day swayed by other mo- 
tives in distributing his favours, whatever resolutions he 
had pretended to make to the contrary. I was saying 
a thing the other day to my lord keeper, which he ap- 
proved of, and which I believe may be the reason of 
this : it was, ^ that persons of transcendent merit forced 
tbeur way ia spite of all obstacles ; but those whose merit 
was of a second, third, or fourth rate, were seldom able 
to do any thing, because the knaves and dunces of the 
world had all the impudence, assiduity, flattery, and 
servile compliance divided among them, which kept 
them perpetually io the way, and engaged every body 



200 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

to be their solicitors." I was askiog a great mioister, a- 
month ago, " how he could possibly happen to pick out 
a certain person to employ in a commission of discover* 
log abuses, who was the most notorious for the constant 
practice of the greatest abuses in that very kind, and 
was very well known not to be at all reformed ?" He 
said, ^* he knew all this ; but what would I have him to 
do?" I answered, ^' send any one of your footmen, and 
command him to choose out the first likely genteel fellow 
he sees in the streets ; for such a one might possibly be 
honest, but he was sure the other was not, and yet they 
have employed him." 

I promise your grace that this shall be the last sally 
I shall ever make to a court, and that I will return as 
soon as I can have leave. I have no great pleasure in- 
my present manner of living, often involved in things 
that perplex me very much, and which try my patience 
to the utmost ; teased every day by solicitors, who have 
so little sense as to think I have either ci-edit or inclina- 
tion to be theirs, although they see I am able to get no* 
thing for myself. But I find I am giown very tedious,, 
and therefore conclude, with the greatest respect, my 
]ord,4&c* 



FROM ARCHBISHOP KING. 

RBTKREND SIR, DuhUu, Oct. 27, 1 7 ] 1. 

I HAVE before me your's of the first instant, but have 
been so employed witli attending parliament, convoctu 
tion, and privy council, that I could neither compose my 
thoughts to write, nor find time. Besides, our business 
is all in a hurry ; and I may say in fine, that things ad- 
-mit of no perfect account.. On Wednesday the com 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 201 

bill, which the commoDS seemed to value most, was 
thrown out ; because it reserved a poweif to the lord 
lieuteoaDt and council here, to prohibit or permit the 
traasportatioD of grain at any time. There was a de- 
slgn to fall on the privy council upon this occa^on ; but 
gentlemen would not come into it ; which showed they 
had some wit in their anger. And I am stDI of opiaioD, 
that, with tolerable good management, this would have 
been as quiet a session as has been in Ireland : but tlie 
Dublin business, the address of the lords, Langton^s af- 
fedr,* and now Higgin's,f have exasperated the commons 
to such a height, that will, as you observe, make this 
parliament to be impracticable any longer. It is true« 
the lords' address might have been interpreted to aim at 
Lord Wharton, and was partly so intended : but it was 
ill expressed to bear that sense ; and besides, what did 
it signify for us to show our resentment, when it could 
only provoke a gieat man to revenge, and could not 
reach him ? 

As to the first-fruits, and twentieth parts, no body 
here dare say, that any body, beside the Duke of 0]> 
mond, procured them, but his grace himself; who, for 
aught I can learn, never assumed, either publicly or 
privately, any such merit to himself: and yet, I confess^ 
it is not amiss, that it should be thought he did those 
things. For he could not think of governing the Ung- 

* DomiBie hangtan, clerk, formerly a friar, had aecased Lewis 
Mean, £gq. and other protectant j^entlemeD of the coiintjr af Weit 
Meatfa, of enti^rlug into an atsociaiion against the queen and her mi- 
pifltry; upon which the house of commons in Ireland, on the sixth of 
Angusty 1711, voted teveral strong refolutions against the said Lang, 
ton, declaring his charge against Mr. Moars, &c. to he false, ground* 
less, and malicious ; and resolved, that an address siioiild be present- 
ed to the lord lieutenant, the Duke of Ormond, to defiire, that hec 
oajeity would order the said Langton to be itraek off the establiA* 
■WDt of Ireland. B. 

t Se^ befiuv, Dee. 16, 1710. N. 



202 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

dom, if it be oot believed, that he has great interest at 
court ; and if that did oot appear by some favours of 
momeut obtained for the kingdom, none would suppose 
it. He is truly a modest, generous, and honest man ; 
and assure joturself, that whatever disturbance he has 
met with, proceeds from his sticking too close to his 
friends. It is a pity, such a fault should hurt a man. I 
send you, enclosed, the papers tliat relate to Mr. Hig- 
gins. Lord Santry was heard against him, before the 
lord lieutenant and council, October 27 : he was allov- 
ed only to prove the articles in his petition, that are 
marked with P, and he seemed to prove them pretty 
fully ; but Mr. Higgins not having yet made his defence, 
I can give no judgment. By tlie testimony of the lower 
house of convocation, in his favour, you will see how 
heartily they es|)ouse him. And surely both pains and 
art have been used to sci-eeu him : with what efiect you 
shall hear when the matter is concluded. I wish every 
good man may meet with as good and as fast friends aa 
be has done. I send you likewise the votes, that kept 
the commons in debate, from eleven in the morning till 
seven at night. The question was carried in the nega- 
tive, by two accidents : the going out of one member, by 
chance, to speak to somebody at the putting the ques- 
tion ; and the coming in of another, in his boots, at the 
very minute. If either had not happened, it had gone 
tlie other way. The personal affection to the Duke at 
Ormond divided the house. If they could have sepa- 
rated him from some others, the majority had been great. 
You may eanly, from this^ see what way the bent of the 
kingdom goes; and that garbling corporations no way 
please them. 

We have several printed accounts of preliminaries of 
the peace; but I believe them all amusements; for, I 
imagine none of the common scribblers know any thing 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 203 

of them at all. I praj God llie} m«y be such as may se- 
cure us from a oew war ; though, I believe the death of 
the emperor makes a lastiog peace much more difficult 
than before. That depends on a balance, and to that 
three things seem so necessarj, that any two may stop 
the third ; but now all is reduced to two. I reckon, as 
soon as the peace is settled, the dauphin will be taken 
out of the way, and then France and Spain will fall into 
one hand : a surmise I have had in mind even since 
Philip got Spain ; and I was of opinion, that if we could 
have been secured against this accident, there had been 
no need of a war at all. 

A% to the convocation, I told you formerly how we 
lost all the time of a recess, by a precipitate adjournment 
made by five bishops, when the archbishop of Tuam, 
and as many of us as were of the privy council, were 
absent, attending at the board, upon a hearing of the 
quakers against Uie bill for recovery of tithes. Since 
the meeting of the parliament, after the recess, we have 
attended pretty closely, have drawn up and agreed to 
six or seven canons, and have drawn up a representa- 
tion of the state of religion, as to infidelity, heresy, im- 
piety, and poperj. We have gone through likewisf^ 
and agreed to, a great part of this ; but 1 doubt we shall 
not be able to finish it. We have also before us the 
consideration of residence, and the meacs of converting 
papists. This last sent up from the lower house. But 
I reckon it not possible to finish these things this session. 
I need not tell you, that my lord primate's indisposition 
is a great clog to despatch ; but he is resolved none else 
shall have the chair. So we dispense with many things^ 
that otherwise I believe we should not. We had only 
two church bills this time ; one for unions, which was 
ttrowD out in our house; and another for recovery of 



^'04 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

tithes, which I uoderetand will be tliiown out by the 
oommoDs. Our session draws near an end, and eveiy 
kody is tired of it. 

WILL. DUBLIir. 



FROM THE SAME. 

OcL 3i, 1711. 
To day we had another hearing at council, concern* 
iDg Mr. HiggiDs's business. Some of his witnesses were 
examined. So far as we have yet heard, it does not 
appear to me, that they have cleared him of tampeiinf 
with witnesses, shifting recognizances, or compoundiog 
felonies ; but, it is said, these things are common in the 
Gountrj ; and perhaps that will save him. And I know 
not how far his other witnesses, that are yet to be ex- 
amined, may clear him. The hcaiing lasted above three 
hours. I was un grilling to make this packet too laige, 
so I have eDcIosed the other prints in another. I want 
some affidavits of gentlemen, in which they depose Mr. 
Higgins's case to contain many falsehoods. 

I am, &c 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



FROM THE SAME, 

llEVEREND SIB, DuhUfi^ NdfO. 1, 171L 

I HAVE considered that part of your letter that re- 
lates to your own concerns. I find you, in earnest, very 
tDdifferent as to making your fortune; but you ought 



DOCTOR SWIFT. &0d 

aot to be 80, for a weighty reason you insiouate your- 
self, that you cannot, without a settlement, be master of 
your time id such manner, as to apply yourself to do 
something that may be useful to tlie church. I know it 
18 not in your power to do it when you please; but yet 
something may be done toward it Get but a letter to 
the goyemment, from my lord treasurer, for the first 
good preferment ; and you will, at the same time, fill it 
with a good man, and perhaps preyent a bad one from 
getting into it. Sure there is no immodesty in getting 
such a recommendation. Consider that years grow up- 
on you; and, after fifty, both body and mind decay. I 
kave several things on the anvil, and near finished, that 
perhaps might be useful, if published : but the continual 
ftYOcation by budness, the impositions on me by imperti- 
■ent visits, and the uneasiness of writing, which grows 
nore intolerable to me every day, I doubt, will prevent 
ny going any farther. Therefore lose no time ; qui non 
est hodie^ eras mnus aptus erit, I am sure, you are able 
to do good service ; and give me leave to be importu- 
nate with you to go about it. Caesar wrote his Com- 
iaentaries under the hurry and fatigues of a general; and 
perhaps a man's spirit is never more awakeoed, nor his 
thoughts better, than in the intervals of a hurry of busi- 
ness. Read Erasmus's life, and you'll find it ^bs almost 
a continual journey. You see how malicious some are 
toward you, in printing a parcel of trifles, falsely, as 
your works. This makes it necessary that you should 
shame those varlets, by something that may enlighten the 
world, which, I am sure your genius will reach, if you 
^t yourself to it. If I had the honour to have any cor- 
respondence with my lord treasurer, I would certainly 
complain of you to him, and get his lordship to join in 
tbb request, which, I persuade myself, he would readily 
do, if put in mind. I do not in the least fear that you 



206 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

%Ti1l be angiy with mh for this, since you caDnot saspect 
my rincerity and kindness in it: and though I shall be 
aDg;ry vitli you, if you neglect yourself and interest, yet 
it shall go no farther, than to be a trouble to myself, but 
no abatement of the real (neiidship of 

Tour's, &C. 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



FROM THE SAME. 

SEVEREND SIR, DuhliH, NOU. 10, 17] 1. 

Perhaps it will not be ungrateful to you, to know 
our session of parliament ended on Friday last. We 
threw out in the house of lords, two bills ; that against 
fines in the city of Dublin, and about quit-rents ; and 
voted an address, in opposition to the commons* address, 
about revolution principles. «We likewise burned Mr. 
Stoughton^s sermon,* preached at Christ Church on the 
30 ih of January, some years ago. The house were 
pleased to vote me tlianks for prosecuting him, which, 
you may remember, I did in a difTicult time, notwith- 
standing the opposition I had fi-om the government, and 
his protection by Lord Ikerin, whicli he pleaded ia 
court : and }'et I followed him so close, that I forced 
him out of his living. After this, we burned Mr. 
Boysc's book of A Scriptural Bishop ;f and some Ob- 

« Sec before, Feb. 10, 1708-0; March 20, 1700. N. 

f It was printed in 4to. at Dublin, under the title of, " The Office 
of a Christian Bishoi) described, and recommended from 1 Tim. rh. 
iii. ver. 1 ; an ordination sermon. >Vith an appendix to it, and a 
postscript, containing an apology for the publication of it.** The ap- 
pendix and postscript were added to the second edition of the Sei*mon. 
The. author was an eniinrnt dissenting rcinistrr at Diib!in. B. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 2^7 

vervaton.* Our addresB was brou^t in yesterday ; ia 
which sure ire are even with the commons. I forgot to 
tell you, we agreed to another address against dissenting 
ministers, and their twelve hundred poundsf per tmmmu 
The commons made an address to my lord lieutenant, in 
-which they bring- him in for revolution principles. 
^* The Memorial of the Church of England"^ was re- 
printed here, and dedicated to my lord lieutenant. This 
was bi-ought into the liouse of commons, and I doubt, 
would not have escaped, if the usher of the black rod had 
not called them up to the prorogation. Langton^s busi- 
ness came likewise into the house of lords, and when the 
house was full of ladies, an olTer was made to receive 
the report of the committee, which contained many 
sheets of paper. A great debate happened upon it ; but 
at last it was waved, and ordeied to be laid before the 
lord lieutenant. 

In short, we parted in very ill humour; and I appre- 
hend that the minds of the gciiiTality arc not easy. 
My lord Duke of Ormond, so far as I could take it, 
made a very modest and healing speecii ; and his grace 

* Papers published under that title, by JobnTutchin, Esq. who had 
been severely Rcntenced by I^rd Cliief Justice Jeffreys, in King 
Jamrs the second's reign. He wa<, at last, attacked in the night, for 
eome oflToncc whlcii he h:id given by his writings, and died in cousc- 
queocc or the violence used toward him. Dr. JSwift, in his Examiner, - 
rfo. 15, Nov. 16,1710, speaks of this writer, and of Daniel de Foe, au- 
thor of " The Review of the State of the British Nation,** as '' Tiro 
stupid illiterate scribbleni, both of tlicm fanatics by profession.** B* 

f This address was agreed to upon Nov 9, 1711. The twelve hun- 
dred pounds per annum was originally a bounty to those ministers 
from King Charles tiie second, confirmed by King William, and con- 
tiuned by Uueen Anne. B. 

; Published at first in 1705, 4to. under this title, *' The Memorial 
«f the Church of England, humbly offered to the consideration of all 
true lx)ver8 of our Church and Constitution.'* — 'J'his libel, upon its 
first publication, having been pre%nted as such by the grand jury of 
London and Middlesex, Aug. 31, 1705, wis burnt by the common 
hnngmnn. B. 



208 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

teemed, iu it, to be altogether disinterested in parties. 
All these you have in public ; and if 70U think it 
vorth while, I will take care to send them as they are 
piiated. 

As to our convocation, those who had loitered and 
done nothing before last week, pressed on the representa- 
tion of the state of religion, as to infidelity, heresy, im- 
piety, and popery ; it will in some time, be printed. ,1 
had many reasons, but insisted only on two; first, its 
imputing all vices to us, as if we were the worst of peo^ 
pie in the world; not allowing any good among uSi 
Secondly, not assigning it a cause of tlie natives coih 
iinuifig papists, tliat no care was ever taken to preach te 
them in their own language, or translating the service 
into Irish. You will find the matter in Heylin's Re- 
formation, 2d Eliz. 1560, p. 128. I was forced to use 
art to procure this protest to be admitted, without which 
they would not have allowed me to offer reasons^ as I 
had cause to believe. 

Both the parliament and convocation have been so 
ordered, as to make us appear the worst people in the 
world, disloyal to lier majesty, andeuemics to the church; 
and I suspect, with a design to make us appear unwor- 
thy to have any couutenauce or preferment in Our na- 
tive country. When the representation is printed, I 
will, if you think it worth your while, send you my pro- 
test We agreed likewise in some canons of no great 
moment, and sonic forms of prayer, and forms of receiv- 
ing papists, and sectaries; which, I think, are too strait. 
I brought iu a paper about residence ; but here was no 
time to consider it, nor that which related to the means 
of converting papists. I did not perceive any zeal that 
way. A great part of our representation relates to sec- 
taries ; and many things, in the whole, seem to me noi 
defensible. I told you before, how we lost six weekf, 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 20& 

during the adjouromeot of the parliament; and since it 
sat, ire couid only meet in the afternoon, and I was fre« 
queutlj in council ; so that I was neither present when 
it was brought into the house, when it passed for the 
most part, or was sent down in parcels, in foul rased pa- 
pers, that I obald not well read, if I had an opportuni- 
ty ; and never heard it read through before it past. 

I believe most are agreed, that if mj advice had been 
taken, this would have l>een the peaceablest session that 
ever was in Ireland ;. whereas it has been one of the most 
bdsterous. I believe it was his grace the Duke of Or- 
nond's interest to have it quiet ; but then the managers' 
coDduct has showed themselves to be necessary. I have 
wearied myself with this scroll, and perhaps you will be 
so likewise. I am, &c. 

WILL. DUBLIN. 



PROM MR. SECRETARY ST. JOHN. 

Hkmptan Courts Nov, 16, 1711. 
I RSTURN you the sheet,* which is, I think, very cor- 
rect Sunday morning I hope to see you. I am sin^ 
cerely your hearty friend and obedient servant, 

H. ST. JOHN. 
I have a vile story to tell you of the moral philoso- 
pher Steele. 

' • Probablj of '* Tbe Conduct of the Allies," which was published 
Nov. 27, 1711. B. 



VOL. XT. 



210 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

FROM THE SAME. 

UiUR DOCTOR, Nop, 17, 1711. 

I A8K pardon for my mistake,* and I send you the 
right paper. I am, in gSckneiB and in health, ever jour 
faithful friend, aqd obedient servant, 

a ST. JOHN. 



^ FROM MRS. LONG.t 

Nov. 18, 1711. 
If you irill again allow me the pleasure of hearing 
from you, without murmuring, I will let you enjoy that 
of laughing at me for any foolish word I mbapply; for 
I know you are too reasonable to expect me to be nice- 
ly right in the matter; but then when you take a fancy 
to be angiy, pray let me know it quietly, that I may' 
clear my meanings, which are always far from offending 
niy friends, however unhappy I may be in my expres- 
sions. Could I expect you to remember any part of my 
letters so long ago, I would ask you, that you should 
know where to find me when you had a mind to it : l^ut 
I suppose you were in a romantic strain, and designed 
to have surprised me talking to myself in a wood, or by 
the sea. . Forgive the dullness of my apprehension, and 
if telling you that I am at Lynnc will not do, I will 
print it, however inconvenient it may yet be to me ; for 
I am not the better for the old lady's death, but am put 
in hopes of being easy at Christmas ; however, I shall still 
continue to be Mrs. Smyth, near St. Nicholas's church, 

* AUudlog to the preceding letter. N. 

f Thus indorsed by the doctor; " Poor Mr:. Long's last letter, 
Hf ritten five weeks before she died." U. S. 



©OCTOR SWIFT. 211 

in the town aforesaid ; so much for mj affairs. Now as 
to my health, that' iras much out of order last summer ; 
iny distemper was a dropsy or asthma (you know what 
I mean, but I caouot spell it right) or both, lazy distem- 
peiSy which I was too lazy to molest while they would 
let nae sit in quiet ; but #heD they grew so unreasouable 
as not to let me do that, I applied myself to Dr. loglis, 
by whose advice I am now welt enough. To give you 
the best account I can of this place, the ladies will make 
any returns, if one may believe what they say of one' 
another; the men I know little of, for I am here, what 
you have often upbraided me with, a prude in every 
thing but censuring my neighbours. A couple of di- 
vines, two aldermen, and a custom-house ofKeer, are all' 
my men acquaintance ; the gay part of the town I know 
nothing of, and although for the honour of ^ the place I 
will suppose there are good poets, yet that. I never in- 
quired after. I have a shelf pretty well filled at home, 
but want a Miscellany Mr. Steele put out last year; 
Miss Hessy promised it me, but has forgot it ; I fancy . 
you have interest enough with him to get it for me. I 
wish too at your leisure you would make a pedigree for 
me; the people here want sadly to know what I am; I 
pretend to no more than being of George Smyth's fami- 
ly of Nitly, but do not talk much of it for fear of be- 
traying myself; so they fancy some mystery to be in the 
matter, and would give their rivals place to be satisfied. 
At first they thought I came hither to make my fortune, 
by catching up some of their youjig fellows ; but having 
avoided that sort of company, I am still a riddle they 
know not what to make of. Many of them seem to 
love me well enough ; for I hear all they say of one 
another withouX making nriischief among tliem, and give 
them tea and coiTee when I have it, which are the greatest 
charms I can boast of : the fine lady I have left to Mdl 



4 



212 LETTERS TO AND FHOM 

(who I suppose was at the Bath) or any other that will 
take it up ; for I am grown a good housewife ; I can pot 
and pickle, sir, and handle a needle very prettily ^ see 
Miss Hessy^ scarf, I think that is improTing mightily. 
If Miss Hessy keeps company with the eldest Hattoo, 
and U still a politician, she is not the gurl I took her for ; 
but to me she seems melancholy. Sure Mr. St John Is 
not so altered but he will make returns; but how can I 
pretend to judge of any thing, when my poor cousin is 
taken for ao hermaphrodite ? a thing I as littie suspect- 
ed her for as railing at any body ; I know so little cause 
for it, that I must be silent I hear but little of what 
is done in Uie world, but should be glad the ministry did 
themselves the justice to distinguish men of merit : may 
I wish you joy of any preferment ? I shall do it hear- 
tily : but if you have got nothing, I am busy to as much 
purpose as you, although my employments are next to 
picking straws. Oh, but you are acquainted with my 
Lord Fitzharding, for which I rejoice with you, and am 
your most obedient servant, 

ANNE LONG. 



MR. SHOWER* TO THE LORD HIGH- 
TREASURER, OXFORD. 

HT LORD, Landmiy Dec. 20, 1711. 

Though there be little reason to expect your lord- 
iihip should interpose in favour of the dissenters, who 

* An eminent disienting minister. He was born at Exeter in 1657, 
and officiated in tlie Old Jewry. He died June 28, 1715, after having 
published a great number of Sermons and otiier religious treatises, 
which are enumerated in the lafe prefixed to bis Funeral Sermon, by 
Vt. Tong. Sir Bartholomew Shower was his brother. B. 



BOCTOR SWIFT. 213 f 



/-^ 



^aye been so shamefiilTy abaodoned, sold, and sacrifi* 
ced by; their professed friends; the attempt is however so 
^lorloiu, in all its views, tendencies, and prospects, that, 
if it be not too . late, I would most humbly beg your 
lordship not to be immoveable as to that matter. The 
fatal consequences of that bill cannot be expressed : I 
dread to think of some of them ; and shall as much re* 
joice with many thousands, if you may be instrumen- 
tal to prevent it. May Heaven direct you in this, 
and all your great affairs for the public good of your 
country! 

I am, my honoured lord. 

Tour most obedient servant, 
JOHN SHOWER. 



LORD OXFORD?S ANSWER TO MR. 

SHOWER.*. 

« 

REVEREND SIR, • DcC. 21, 1711. 

Had not a very painful distemper conQued roe, I had 
desired the favour of seeing you some time since ; and 
I should have spoken very plainly to you, as I shall 
whenever I see you. I have long foretold, that the dis- 
senters must be saved whether they will or not ; they 
resist even restraining grace ; «ud would almost con- 
vince me, that the notion of man's being a mechanism is 
true in every part. To see men moved as puppets, with 
rage for their interest, with envy acting against their 

• The ansver was written by Dr. Swift, as appears not only from 
his handwriting, but particularly from a correction in the original 
draught It appears also, by the Journal to Stella, that another an- 
swer hacf been written by the Earl of Oxford, *^ which his frieftds 
wfNild Bot let bioi send, but was a very good one.** 9. 



214 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

own iiitei-est, haviog meu^s persons io adniiratioo : lot 
only tbose of their own body, who certainly are the first 
vho pretended to consummate wisdom and deep policyi 
yet have shown that they knew not the common affairs 
of this nation, but are dwellers in thick clay. Thej 
are epicureans in act, puritans in profession, politiciaiia 
in conceit, and a prey and laughingstock to tlie deists 
and synagogue of the libertines, in whom thej have trust- 
ed, and to i\ho6e infallibility they have sold themselves 
and their congregations. All thej have done, or caa 
do, shall never make me their enemy. I pitj poor de^ 
luded creatures^ that have for seventeen years been act- 
ing against all their principles, and the liberty of this na- 
tion, without leaving so much salt as to keep the bod j 
of them sweet : for there has not been one good bill, dur> 
ing that term of year?, which they have not opposed in 
the house of commons : contrary to the practice of those 
very few dissenters which were in the parliament in 
King Charles tKe Second^s time, who therebj united 
themselves to the 6duntry gentlemen, the advantage of 
which they found for many yearslifler. But now they 
have listed themselves with those, who had first denied 
our Saviour, and now have sold them. 

I have written this only to show you, that I am ready 
to do every thing that is practicable, to save people who 
are bargained for by their leaders, and given up by their 
ministers ; I say, their mimsters ; because it is averred 
and represented, that the dissenting ministers have been 
consulted, and are consenting to this bill. By what lies 
and arts they are brought to this, I do not care to men- 
tion ; but, as to myself the engineers of this bill thought 
they had obtained a great advantage against me, find- 
ing I had stopped it iu the house of commons, they 
thought to bring me to a fatal dilemma, whether it did 
or did not pass. This wotild have no influence with me ; 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 215 

for I will act what I think to be right, let there be the 
vorst enemies in the world of one side or other. I guess^ 
hj, your letter, that you do not know that the bill yester- 
day passed both houses, the lords having agreed to the 
aroendmeDtB made by the commons ; so that there u no 
room to do any thing upon that head. 

What remains is, to desire that the dissenters may 
seriously think from whence they are fallen, and do their 
first works — and recover their reputation of sobriety, in- 
tegrity, and lore of thehr country, which is the sincere 
mid hearty prayer of, 

Reverend sir, 

your most faithful and 
most humble servant, 

OXFORD. 



ON MRS. LONG'S DEATH.* 

SIR, London, Dec. 26, 1 71 1. 

That you may not be surprised with a letter utterly 
unknown to you, I will tell you the occasion of it. The 
lady who lived near two years in your neighbourhood, 
and whom you was so kind to visit under the name of 
Mrs. Smyth, was Mrs. Anne Long, sister to Sir James 
Long, and niece of Col. Strangeways : she was of as 
good a private family as most in England, and had every 
valuable quality of body and mind that could make a 
lady loved and esteemed. Accordingly, she was always 
valued here above roost of her sex, and by most distin- 
guished persons. But, by the unkindness of her friends 
and the . generosity of her own nature, and depending 

* See the Decree for concluding the treaty between Dr. Swift and 
Mrfi. Long, in 1709, in vol. IV. N. 



216 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

upon the death of a very old graodmother, which did 
not happen till it was too late, contracted some debts 
that made her uneasy here, and in order to clear them 
vas content to retire unknown to yomr town, where I 
jfear her death lias been hastened by melancholy, and 
perhaps the want of such assistance as slie might have 
found here. I thought fit to signify this to you, partly 
to let you know how valuable a person you have lost, 
but chiefly to desire that you will please to bury her in 
seme part of your church near a wall where a plain 
marble stone may be fixed, as a poor monument for one 
who deserved so well, and which, if God sends me life, 
I hope one day to place there, if no other of her friends 
will think fit to do it. I had the honour of an intimate 
acquaintance with her, and wbs never so sensibly touch- 
ed with any one's death as with hers. Neither did I 
•ver know a person of either sex with more virtues, or 
fewer infirmities ; the only one she had, which was the 
neglect of her own affairs, arising wholly from the good- 
ness of her temper. I write not this to you at all as a 
secret, but am content your town should know what an 
excellent person they have had among them. If you 
visited her any short time befnre her death, or knew any 
particulars about it, or of the state of her mind, or the 
Batiire of her disease, I beg you will be so obliging to in- 
form, me; for the letter we have seen from her poor maid 
is so imperfect by her grief for the death of so good a 
lady, that it on|y tells the time of her death; and your 
letter may, if you please, be directed to fir* Swifi, and 
put under a cover, which cover may be directed to 
Erasmus Lewis, Esq. at the Earl of Dartmouth's ofiice, 
at Whitehall. I hope you will forgiire this trouble for 
the occasion of it, and give some allowances to so great 
a loss, not only to me, but to all who have any regard 
for every perfection that human nature can possess ; aud 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 217 

if'dinfMtj I can serve or oblige you, I shall bie glad 6f 

aQopportoaitj of obeying your comraaods. 

lanv&c- 

J. SWIFT. 



TO DR. STERNE. 

4»89 London^ Dec, 29, 1711. 

Thb reason I have not troubled you this long time 
with my letter?, was, because I would not distui-b the 
^uiet you live in, and which the greatest and wisest men 
here would envy, if they knew ; and which it is one part 
of your happiness that they do not. I have often sent 
the archbishop* political letters, of which I suppose you 
liave had part. I have some weeks ago received a let- 
ter from his grace, which I design to acknowledge in a 
rfiort time (as I desire you will please to tell him) when 
things here come to some issue ; and so we expect they 
will do in a little time. Tou know what an unexpected 
thing fell out the first day of this session in the house 
of lords, by the caprice, discontent, or some worse motive 
•f the Earl of Nottingham.f 

In above twenty years, that I have known something 
•f courts, I never observed so many odd, dark, luac- 
eountable circumstances in any public "affair. A ma* 
jority against the court, carried l)y five or six depending : 

• Tbe Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Kiog. B. 

f The Earl of Nottingham proposed in the heiiae of lords, h clause 
io be inserted in the address of thanks to the queen for her speech, to 
represent to her majesty, as the humble opinion and advice of the 
house, that no peace could be made safe or honourable to Great Bri- 
tain or Europe, if Spain or the West Indies were to be allowed to 
any branch of the house of Bourbon. Which motioo was carried bjT/ 
a lujority of sizty-Qne votefl to fifty-five. B. 



218 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

lords, who owed the best part of theirbread tapenriott 
from the court, and who were told by the pobMc enemy, 
that what they did would be pleariog to the queen, 
though it was openly levelled against the fiTst minister's - 
bead : again, those, whose purse-strings and heartstrings 
were the same, all on a sudden scattering their money to 
bribe votes : a lord,* who had been so far always a tory, 
as oft^n to be thought in the pretender^s interest, giving 
his vote for the niin of all his old friends, caressed by 
those whigs, who hated and abhorred him : the whi^ all 
"chiming in with a bill against occasional conformity ;t 
and the very dissenting ministers agreeing to it, for 
reasons that no body alive can tell 4 a resolution of 
breaking the treat/ of peace, without any possible 
scheme for continuing the war : and all this owing to a 
doubtfulness, or inconstancy in one certain quarter, 

* Earl of Nottingham. B. 

f One of the conditions upon which the Earl of Nottingham was 
«aid to have entered into strict engagements with the lords of the 
moderate party-, was their concurrence wiUi him in a bill to prevent 
HeasUnal cov^formit^^ which he had formerly urged, and now de- 
signed to bring into the house of lords; thougli under another tiUe, 
and with such clauses as would, in some measure, enlarge the tolera- 
tion of dissenters, and be a farther security to tlie protestant succes- 
sion in the house of commons. Accordingly, Dec. 15, 1711, bis IcH'd- 
ihip brought into the house of lords " A bill for preserving the {H'o- 
testant religion, by better securing the church of England, as by law 
ftstnblished ; and for confirming the toleration granted to the pro- 
testant dissenters, by an aet, intituled, ^ An act for exempting their 
mystics protestant subjects from the penalties of certain laws ; and 
for the supplying the defects tliereof ;* and for the further securing 
the protestant succession, by requiring the practisers of the law, ia 
North Britain, to take the oaths, and subscribe the declaration 
therein mentioned.** His (ordship was supported by the Earls of 
Scarborough and Wharton, and several other lords ; so that the bill 
was received, and read the first time without opposition ; and Dec. 
18, it passed the Jiouse of lords ^ as it did that of the conunOns on th« 
20th. B. 

t It is said the dissenters consented to be kept out, that the pAjnsfn 
miiht not he let in. tt. 



toOCTOR SWIFT. 219 

ivhich^,£y[ this distance, I dare not describe. Neither 
do I find nny ooe person, though deepest in affain^ 
ivho can tell what dteps to^ke. Oo Jaouarj the le- 
cood, the house of lords & to meet, and, it is expected, 
Ihey will go on in their votes and addresses against a 
peace.. 

. On the other side, we are endeavouring to get a ma- 
jority, and have called up two earls' sons to the house of 
peers ; and I thought six more would have been called, 
And perhaps they may before Wednesday. We ^xpect 
the Duke of Somerset and Lord Cholmondeley will lose 
4heir places ; but it is not yet done, and we wish for one 
more change at court, which you must guess. To know 
upon what small circumstances, and by what degrees, this 
change has been brought about, would require a great 
deal more than I can, or dare write. 

There is not one, which I did not give warning of to 
those cliiefly concerned, many months ago ; and so did 
some others, for. they were visible enough. This must 
infallibly end either in an entire change of measures 
and ministry, or in a firm establishment of our side. 
Delay, and tenderness to an inveterate party, have beew 
very instrumental to this i\\ state of affairs. They tell 
me, you in Ireland are furious against a peace ; and it 
is a great jest to see people in Ireland furious for oc 
against any thing. 

I hope to see you in spring, when travellings weather 
comes on. But I have a tpind to see the issue of this 
session. I reckon your hands are now out of mortar, 
and that your garden is finished : and I suppose you 
have now one or two fifty pounds ready for books,^ 

* Dr. Sterne made a large collection of books^ and placed them 
in the upper part of the Deanery-bouse (then built by him) which he- 
itted up for this purpose in one great room, with a fire-place at eaclt- 
twL He enlarged thii collection very much la. the subsequent par-t^ 

K 3 



220 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

-which I will lay out for you, if you will give me di- 
rections. 

I have increased my own little library very consider- 
ably; I mean, as far aa one fifty pounds, which is very 
considerable for me. I have just had a letter from the 
St. Mary ladies, &c.* I thought they were both dead; 
but I &d they sometimes drink your claret still, and 
win your money. I am, sur, your moat obedient hum:- 
ble servant. 

You know whoir 

P. S. I had sealed my letter, but have broke it open, 
to tell you, and all that love the church and crown, 
that all things are now well. The queen has turned 
out the Duke of Somerset, and has created twelve 
new lords, of which three are peers' eldest sons, the 
rest new created ; so that a majority is past dispute.. 
We are all in the greatest joy imaginable to find her 
majesty declare hei'self so seasonably^ 

of his Hfe, and when he died Bishop of Clogher, in June 1745, he be- 
queathed such books out of it, to the trustees of the public library is 
Dublin, founded by primate Marsh, as they wanted. The remainder 
lie directed to be sold, and the money to be divided among the co- 
rates .of his diocese ; but as these gentlemea chose rather to have the 
books divided amongst them, their request was complied with by the 
bishop's executors; and all the books, being a great number, were 
divided into lots, as nearly equal as possible in value, and nailed up 
in boxes that were numbered. Duplicates of these numbers were, 
written on pieces of paper, and the curates drew for them. F. 
'^ Mrs. JobssoD and Mrs. Dingley. B. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 221 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING- 

MTiiOBD, Londioffi, JoM. 8, 1711-12. 

I CJLVNOT ia conscieoce take up your grace's time 
with an empty letter ; and it is not every day one can 
fturDiah what will be worth your reading. I had all 
your grace's packets ; and I humbly thank your grace 
for your good instructions to me, which I shall observe 
as soon as ever it shall please God to put me into a 
way of life where I can have leisure for such specu- 
lations. 

lu above twenty years that I have known something 
of courts and ministers, I never saw so strange and odd 
a complicated disposition of affairs as what we have had 
for six weeks past The facts your grace may have 
met with in every common newspaper ; but the springa 
of them are hardly discoverable even by those who had 
most opportunity of observing. T^either do I find those ' 
who should know best, agree upon the matter. There 
b a perpetual trial of skill between those who are out 
and those who are in; and the former are generally 
more industrious at watching opportunities. Last Sep- 
tember, at Windsor, the Duke of Somerset,^ who had 
not been at cabinet council for many months,' was advised 
by his friends of the late ministry to appear there^ but 
the rest refused to sit with him ; and the council was 
put off until next day, when the duke went to a horse- 
race. This was declaring open war; and ever since 
both he and his duchess (who is in great favour) have 
been using all sorts of means to break the present minis- 
try. Mrs. Masham was absent two months from Wind- 

• This happened August 12, 1711. See Jourml to Stella, Aqimi- 

13. N. ,>; - 



222 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Mur, with Ijing in at Kensingtoivitnd mj lord tceasorer 
tax weeks by indisposition. Some time before tbe aes- 
8100, the duke above mentioned went to all those lords, 
who^ by the narrowness of their fortunes, have depeod- 
jcd on the court, and engaged them to vote against-the 
ministry, by assuring them it was the queen's pleasure^ 
He is said to have added other powerful motiveau 
Bothmar's* memorial was published just at that Juncture 
as Hoflfmao the emperor's resident had some time befoit 
printed the French king's propositions. It is confident- 
ly affirmed, by those who should know, that money was 
plentifully scattered. By these and some other acci- 
dents, the vote was carried against the ministry ; and 
every body of either party understood the thing as in- 
tended directly against my lord treasurer's head. Tbe 
bouse of lords made a very short adjournment, and were 
. preparing some resolutions and addresses of the most 
dangerous importance. We had a very melancholy 
Christmas, and the most fearless persons were ahakeo ;■ 
for our gi:eat danger lay where I cannot tell your grace 
at this distance. The thing wished for was, the remov- 
al of the Somerset family ; but that could not be dooe^ 
nor yet is. After some time, the queen declared herself 
as you have heard, and twelve new lords were created. 
My Lord I*9^ottiogham's game in this affair has been 
roost talked of, and several hard things said of him are 
affirmed to be true. The dissenting ministers in this 
town were consulted about the occasional bill, and 
agreed to it, for what reasons I cannot leant ; that which 
is offered not satisfying me, that they were afraid of 
.worse. I believe they expected an entire change of 
ministry and measures, and a new parliament, by which 
it might be repealed, and have instead some law to theur 

• Baroa Bothmar, envoy extraordiaary from the eleotor of HaiM»' 
wer, afterward Kiog George h N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 223 

• 

advantage. The Duke of Marlborough's removal* has 
passed verj dlentlj ; the particular reasons for it I mutt 
tell your grace some other time : but how it will pass 
abroad I canuot answer. People, on both sides couclude 
from it, that the peace is certain ; but the conchision is 
ill drawn : the thing would have been done, although 
we had been sure of continuing the war. We are ter- 
ribly afraid of Prince Eugene^s coming, and therefore 
•it was put off until the resolutions were taken. Before 
-he came out of his yacht, he asked how many lords 
Were made ? He was a quarter of an hour with the 
-queen, on Sunday about seven at night. The great 
'men resolve to entertain him in their turns; and we 
suppose it will all end in a journey of pleasure. We 
are so confidently told of the Duke of Somerset's 
being out, that I writ so to the Dean of St Patrick's. 
-A man of quality told me, he had it from my lord keep- 
er, whom I asked next day, and found it a mistake ; 
•but it is impossible to fence against all lies; however, 
■it is still expected that the duke will be our, and that 
many other removes will be made. Lord Kanelaghf 
died on Sunday mornii^ : he was very poor and needy, 
•and could hardly support himself for want of a pension, 
-wiiich used to be paid him, and which his friends solicit- 
ed as a thing of perfect charity. He died hard, as the 
.term of art is here, to express the woful state of men 
who discover no religion at their death. 

* Dec. 30, 1711. See Journal to Stella, Jan. 1, 1711-12. N. 

f Richard Jones, Baron Jones of Navan, and Viscount Ranelagib, 
created Earl of Ranelagh, Dec. 11, 1677. He was vice treasurer of 
Ire^And, constable of Athlone, several years pay-master of the army, 
and a lord of the privy council. Dying, Jan. 3, 1711, without sur- 
viving male issue, the title of earl became extinct ; but those of vifr- 
count and baron reverted to the issue of a second son of Sir Roger 
Jones, tlie first viscount. See a letter of Lady Catharine Jone% bh 
daughter, Juq« 11, 1729 j and another, June 15, 1732> N* 



224 LET1*ERS TO AND FROBT 

The town talk is that the Duke of Ormood vill g« 
DO more to Ireland, but be succeeded by. the Ddke <€ 
Shrewsbuiy, who is a very great aod excellent person; 
mnd I will hold a wager that your grace will be an ad- 
mirer of his duchess : if they go, I will certainly order 
hex to make all advances to you : but this is only a ge- 
neral report, of which they know nothing at court, al- 
though I think it not altogether improbable; 

We have yet heard nothing of my lord privy seaL 
Buys, the Dutch envoy, went to Holland, I think, at 
the same time. Buya is a great pretender to politicly 
imd always leaves the company with great expressiooft 
of satisfaction that he has convinced them all; he took 
much pains to persuade me out of sonue opinions : an^ 
although all he said did but fix me deeper, he told the 
ministry how successful he had been. I have got poor 
Dr. King,* who was some time in Ireland, to be Gazet- 
teer, which will be worth 250/. per annum to him, if he 
be diligent and sober, for which I am engaged. I men- 
tion this, because I think he was under your grace's pror 
lection when he was in Ireland. 

By what I gather from Mr. Southwell, I believe 
your grace stands very well with the Duke of Ormond;. 
and it is one great addition to my esteem for Mr. South- 
well, that he is entirely your grace's friend and humble 
■ervant, delighting to do you justice upon all occarioos*. 
I am, with the greatest respect, 
your grace's most dutiful 
and most humble servant. 



* Dr. William King of the Commons; whose Miseellaaeous Wri; 
tfngt, in verse and prose, were collected in three volumes, small 8vo. 
177S, with Biosrtpbicai Memoin, laj tha editor «( thcw rohuner/ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 225 -/ 



FROM DR. SACHEYERELL. 

BK¥KSB]io SIR, Souih^orky Jan, 31, 1711-12; 

SiNCB you have beeo pleased to undertake the gene- 
Foua office of soliciting my good lord treasurer's favour 
ia my behalf I should be very ungrateful if I did not 
return you my most hearty thanks for it, and my hum- 
blest acknowledgments to hb lordship for the success it 
has met with. 

I received last Monday a message by my pupil, Mr. 
J^oyd, (representative of Shropshire,) from Mi. Harlcy, 
by his lordship's order, to inquire what my brother was 
qualified for. I told him, having failed in his trade, he 
had been out of business for some jears) during which 
time I had entirely maintained him and his family : that 
bis education had not qualified him for any condderable 
or nice post : but that, if his lordship thought him aa 
object of his favour, I entirely submitted him to his dis- 
posal, and should be very thankful to his goodness to 
ease me of part of that heavy burden of my family^ 
that required more than my poor circumstances could 
allow o£ 

I am informed also, that I am very much indebted to 
my great countryman, Mr. Secretary St John^ for his 
generous recommendation of this matter to his lordship. 
I should be proud of an opportunity of expressing my 
gratitude to that eminent patriot, for whom no one. that 
vishes the welfare or honour of his church or country^ 
can have too great a veneration. 

Bui for yourself, (good doctor !) who was the first 
spring to move it, I can never sufficiently acknowledge 
the obligation. I should be glad, if you will commaad 



226 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

me, ia any lime or place to do it, which will be a ftrtber 
favour cooferred on, rcvereiid air, . v 

Tour most faitbAil lenraDt, 

H. SACHEYERELL. 

« 

P. S. I am told there is a place in the custom-hoiue 
void, called the searchers ; which, if proper to ask, I 
would uot presume ; but rather leave it to his kftir 
sbip^s disposal. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

jrr LORD, London, March 20, 1712. 

I CANNOT ask pardon for not sooner aekuowledg;lif 
your grace's letter, because that would look as if I 
thought mine were of consequence. Either I grow 
weary of politics, or ara out of the way of them, or 
there is less stirring than usual ; and indeed we are all 
in suspense at present ; but I ara told that in teu w 
twelve days time, we shall know what the issue wHI be 
at Utrecht. I can only tell your grace, that there are 
some unlucky circumstances, not proper to be trusted to 
a letter, which have hitherto retarded this great work; 
MiM ludibria rerum mortalium cunctis in negotiis cb- 
.versantur. Mean time, we are with great difficulty 
raising funds upon which to borrow five millions. One 
of those funds is a tax upon paper, and 1 think 30 per 
cent, upon imported books; and of such a nature as I 
could not yesterday forbear saying to my lord treasurer 
and the chancellor of the exchequer, that instead of pre- 
•venting small papers and libels, it will leave nothing else 
/or the press. I have not talked to the Duke of Argyie 
upon the aflair^ of Spain, since his return \ but am told 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 22? 

lie affirms it impossible for us to carry od the war tliere 
-by our former methods. The Duke of Ormoad is ex- 
pected to go ID two or three days for Flanders. And 
what I writ to your grace some months ago of the Duke 
of Shrewsbury succeediog to govern Ireland, will, I 
wppose, be soon declared. I was the other day to see 
the duchess, and reported your grace's compliments, 
which she took very well ; aod I told her I was resolved 
your grace and she should be very good acquaintance. 
I believe the spirit of your hougbers is got into our mo- 
hawks, who are still very U'oublesome, and every night 
cot somebody or other over the face ; and commit a 
hundred insolent barbarities. 

There was neve^ the least design of any impeachment 
against the Duke of Marlborough ; and it was hb owa 
:g^t weakness, or the folly of his friends, that the thing 
>irent so far as it djd. 

I know not whether it is that people have talked 
themselves hoarse, but for some weeks past we have heard 
\e8B of the pretender than formerly. I suppose it is, 
like a fashion, got into Ireland, when it is out here : but^ 
JD.my conscience, I do not think any one person in the 
eourt or ministry here designs any more to bring in the 
pretender, than the Great Turk. I hope Mr. Harley, 
who is now on his journey to Hanover, will give that 
epurt a truer opinion of persons and things than they 
^ave hitherto conceived. And, if your grace knew the 
.instrument, through which these false opinions have been 
infused, you would allow it another instance of the Im' 
dibrium r&rum mortaUum. And your grace cannot but 
agree, that it is somethmg singular for the prince in pos- 
session to make perpetual advances, and the presumptive 
heir to be standing off and suspicious. 



228 LETTEBS TO AND FROM 

I know net whether yoar grace haffcooadered the 
sitiou that my lord treasurer is visibty in. The 
iDioistiy, and their adheveota, confes -themselvea |fi 
resolved to have his head, wheoera it is in their f 
er ; and were prepared, upon the beginning of the 
sions, when the vote was cairied against any pi 
without Spain, to move that he should be sent to 
Tower ;"* at the same time, his friends, and the toric 
general, are discontented at his slowness in the chan| 
of commisBions and eraploTments, to which the weak 
0f the C0U4 1 interest in 4he house of lords is wholly 
|mted : neither do I find that those in the greatest 
tions, or most in the confidence of my lord treasurer, 
able to account for this proceeding, or seem satii 
with it. I have endeavoured to solve this diffie 
another way; and I fancy I am in the right, from v 
I have heard let fall : but, wliatever be the causey 
consequences may be dangerous* 

The queen is in very good health, but does not 
so much exercise as she ought. Fray God preserve 
many years ! 

A projector has lately applied to me to reeonilii 
him to the ministry about an inventioo for fiodiqi; 
the longitude. He has given in a petition to the qv 
by Mr. Secretary St. John. I understand notliing of 
mathematics ; but am told it is a thing as improbaU 
the philosopher's stone, or perpetual motion. 

I lately writ a letter of about thirty pages to 
treasurer, by way of proposal for an academy, to con 
enlarge, and ascertain the English language. Am 
and I have named above twenty persons of both pai 
to be members. I will shortly print the letter, ai 

* It ia aofe 9uy to conceire upon what grounds. W, 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 229 

lope soinethiog will come of it. Your grace sees I am 
toprojectottoo. 

I waoi with great respect, my lord» 
p^ jmr grace's inoBt dutiful 

r^ : and most hambk servaut, 

J. SWIFT. 






k *•■ 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 



LOKD) . LoiMfeft,ilfay 20, 1712. 

^*Whiii I had the honour of your grace's letter of' 
27, I was lying ill of a eruel disorder, which 

poivues me, although cot with so much violence ; 
iod I hope your grace will pardon me, if you find my 
kter to be that of one who writes in pain. Tou sec^ 
Wy lord, how things are altered. The talk of a new go* 
^TDbr for Ireland is dropped. The secret is, that the 
^dne of Ormond had a promise of a pension in case he 
^ his government : but my lord treasurer is so exces- 
Ively thrifty, that to save charges, he lets the duke keep 
t ; and besides, there are some other circumstances, not 
oiwper for a letter, which have great weight in this mat- 
isr. I count upon it, that whatever governor goes over 
Inder (his ministry, a new parliament will be called. Yet 
t was told that the Duke of Shrewsbury was pitched on« 
U a sort of medium between, &c. He is a person of 
admirable qualities ; and if he were somewhat more ac- 
Jhre, and less timorous in business, no man would be 
QKNight comparable to him. 

The moderate of the other party seem now content to 
iliVe a peace, and all our talk and expectations are full 
fif it: but I protest to your grace I know not what to 
Tnite upon this subject, neither could I tell what to say 



2M letteAs to Amy from , 

if I had the honour to be with you. Upon Lord Straf-* 
ford's* coining over, the stocks are fallen, aUh|QUgb I ex•^ 
pected, and I thought with reason, that they would rise. 
There is a trade between some here and some in Hol- 
land, of secrets and lies: and there are some among ns 
whose posts let them into an imperfect knowledge of 
things, which' they cannot conceal. This mixture makes 
up the town-talk, governs the price of stocks, and his 
often a great deal of truth in it : besi^les, public aflfain 
have often so n any sudden turns and itacidents, that 
even those behind the curtain can hardly pronounce for 
a week. I am sensible that I have often deceived your 
grace with my wise inuendoes. Yet, I verily think that 
my intelligence was very right at the moment I sent it. 
If I had writ to your grace six days ago, J would hare 
ventured to have given you hopes that a peace wouU- 
soon appear, and upon conditions wholly surprising anl 
unexpected. I say this to you wholly in confidence; 
and I know nothing yet to change my opinion, except. 
the desponding talk of the town, for I see nothing yet is 
the counte£ances of the ministers. It seems generally 
agreed that the present dauphin cannot live, and apoo 
that depend many measures to be, taken. This after- 
noon the bill for appointing commissioi^ers to inquire 
iyto the grants, &c. was thrown out of the house of lordi^ 
the voices being equal, which is a great disappcmitroeot 
to the court, and matter of triumph to the other party. 1 
But it may possibly be of the worst consequence to tlie ] 
giants next session, when it is probable the ministry w31 
be better settled, and able to procure a majority. I tfi I 
with gi-eat respect, my lord, 
Your gi ace's most dutiful and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

^ His lordship was one of tlie plenipoieulTaridS at ihc treaty rf 
Utfecht. N, 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 231 



TO MRS. HILL. 



JIABAM, Jub/, 1712. 

I WAS commanded some days ago to do t?hat I had 
Vnag a miod to, but avoided, because I would not oflfeud ' 
your prudence, or strain your eyes. But ray Lord > 
Masham assures me there is no danger of either ; and 
that you have courage enough to read a letter, though 
it comes frotn a man, provided it be one of no conse- 
quence, wliich his lordship would insinuate to be my 
case ;. but I hope you will not affront me so highly as to 
understand it so. There is not a grain of news in this 
town, or five miles about it, worth sending you ; and * 
what we receive from Windsor is full as insignificant, ex- 
cept the accounts of the queen's health, and your house- « 
keeping. We are assured that you keep a constant ta- 
ble, and that your guests leave you with full stomacjis 
and full pockets; that Dr. Arbuthnot sometimes leaves - 
bis beloved green-cloth, to come and receive your chid- 
. logs, and pick up your money. We intend shortly to 
represent your case to my lord treasurer, as what de- 
serves commiseration : but we hope the matter is already 
settled between his lordship and you, and that you are 
instructed to be thus magnificent, in order to carry ou 
the cause. We reckon his lordship's life is now secure, 
since a combination of bandboxes and inkhorns, the en- 
gines of late times, were employed in vain to destroy 
him. He will do me the justice to tell you, that I ne- 
Ter fail of toasting you under the name of " the go- 
verness of Dunkirk," and that you have the honour to 
be very particularly in my good graces. My Lady Ma- 
sham still continues in a doubtful state of neither up nor 
down ; and one of her servants told mine, " that they 
did not expect she would cry out this fortnight." I saw 



232 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

yesterday our brother Hill,* who promisei^ to be more 
thrifty of his health, and seems io have a pretty good 
gtock of it I hope you receive bo visits from the head- 
ach and the spleen : and oDe~who knows your constitu- 
tion very well, advises you by all means, against sittiiig 
in the dusk at your window, or on the ground, leaning 
•n your hand, or at seesaw in your chair. 

I am, madam, &c. 



TO GENERAL HILL-t 

«IR, Windstnr CasiUy Aug. 12, 1712. 

With great difficulty, I recovered your present of 
the finest bos in France out of the hands of Mrs. 1011 i 
she allowed her own to be the prettiest, but then mine 
was the handsomest ; and in short, she would part with 
Deither. I pleaded my brotherhood, and got my Lord 
and Lady Masham to intercede ; and at last she threw it 
me with a heavy sigh ; but now it is in my possession, I 
wish you had sent a paper of directions how I shall keep 
it. You that sit at your ease, and havo nothing to do 
but keep Dunkirk, never consider the cMcuUies you 
have brought upon me : twenty ladies hag,)' threatened 
to seize or surprise my box ; and what are twenty thou- 
sand French or Dutch in comparison of those ? Mrs. 
Hill says, it was a very idle thing in you of send such a 

* An elder brother of the general. He was placed in the cuttoo^ 
koase by the Duke of Marlborough, and got promotion there. N. 

f This gentleman was brother to Lady Masham. In 1710, he had 
a grant oi' 10002. a year out of the Post-ofBce; and in 1712, wascoo- 
■lander of six regiments at Dunkirk, which place he had taken posMf- 
sion of, as a security for the preliminaries of peace being fulfilled on 
the part of France. He was afterwards employed on an expedition 
to Canada, and died June 19, 1735. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 23^ 

present to a man who can neither punbh nor reward 
you^ since Grub-street is no more ; for the parliament 
has killed all the Muses of Gruh street, who yet, in their 
last moments^ cried out nothing but Dunkirk*^ My lord 
treasurer, who is the most malicious person in the world, 
saysk you ordered a goose to be drawn at the bottom of 
my box, as a reflection upon the clergy ; and that I 
ought to resent it But I am not angry at all, and his 
lordship obseryes by halves : for the goose is there drawn 
pecking at a snail, just Its I do at him, to make him mend 
his pace in relation to the public, although it be hither- 
" to in vain. And beudes, Dr. Arbuthuot, who b a scholar, 
says^ "• you meant it as a compliment for us both ; that 
I am the goose who saved the Capitol by cackling ; and 
that his lordship is represented by the snail, because he 
preserves his country by delays.'' But my Lord Ma- 
sbam is not to be endured : he observed, that in the 
picture of the inside, which i*epresents a great company 
dancing, there stands a fool with a cap and bells; and 
he would needs understand that figure as applied to me. 
And the worst of it was, that I happened last night to be 
tt my lady Duchess of Shrewsbury's ball : where, look- 
ioig a little singular among so many fine ladies and gen- 
tlemen, his lordship came and whispered me to look at 
my box : which I resented so highly, that I went away 
in a rage, without staying for supper. However, consi- 
dering of it better, after a night's sleep, I find all this is 
nothing but envy, and a design to make a quarrel be- 
tween you and me : but it shall not do so ; for I hope 
your intentions were good, however malice may misre- 

* I'he uniTennl joy occasioned ia England by the lurrender of 
Dnnkirk is particnlarly noticed by Swifl| in his ** History of the four 
last Tears of the Clueen ;^* and some of the Grub-street verses he. al* 
1] del to were his own. N. 

TOL. XT. I* 



234 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

present them. And though I am iised ill bj all the fii>>^ 
mily, who win 1117 money and laugh at me ; yet, to vex 
them more, I >vill forgive them for your sake ;^Dd as 
gooii as I can break loose, will come to Dunkirk for a 
fortniglit, to get a little ease from my many persecutkxHS 
by the Harleys, the Mashams, and the Hills: only I in*- 
tend to change my habit, for fear Colonel Killigrew 
should mistake me for a chimney-sweeper. In the mean 
time, I wish you all success in your government, loyal 
French subjects, virtuous ladies, little champaign, and 
much health : and am, with the truest respect and es- 
teem, sir, 

Tour most obedient 

humble servant ^d brother. 



LORD BOLINGBROKE TO MR. PRIOR.* 

September 10, 1712* 
I WAS equally surprised and vexed to find that by 
the uncouth way of explaining the queen's sense, you 
bad been led to imagine that it was intended my Lord 
Lexington should make any difficulty tj seeing and 
complimenting the King of Spain as sucli. We spe6t 
above three hours in petining minutes yesterday upoo 
this head, which was long ago adjusted. I suppose the 
instructions will be at last clear ; but my Lord Lexing- 
ton having been present at the debate, his understanding 
of the matter will make amends for any dark ambiguous 
article which may be in them. 

Dartmouth is to communicate the queen's orders here- 
in to you, that so you may be able to satisfy the French 

* This letter particularly illastratei the negotiatioiii relative t* 
the peace of Utrecht. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 235 

ainisten^ and they to prepare the SpaDisb iDiaisters. 
However, I will venture to tell jou in a few w6rd8 
what I understaad is to be the measure of Lord Lex- 
ington's conduct. As soon as he anrives at Madrid, he 
will notify his arrival to the secretary of state. He will, 
when he sees this minister, let him know, ^' That the 
queen has sent him thither to compliment the king in 
her name ; to be a witness of the several renunciations 
and other acts requbite .to complete the execution of the 
article agreed upon as necessary to prevent the union of 
the two monarchies : That, afler this, he is to proceed 
to settle such matters of commerce, and other affairs, as 
are for tl^ mutual interest of both nations, and to take 
the character of ambassador upon him." My lord will 
at the same time produce his credentials, and give the 
secretary a copy of them if he desires it. In this con- 
ierence, he will failher take notice of the several cessions 
made by the king of France, in behalf of his grandson, 
to the queen ; and will speak of them as points which he 
looks upon to be concluded. He will likewise give a 
memorial of them in writing, signed by himself, to the 
secretary : and expect from him an assent in the kiugV 
name, in writing also, and signed by the secretary.' This 
seems natural, civil, and unexceptionable ; but any other 
tfheme is absurd, and inconsistent with all the rest of 
our proceedings. ^ 

For God's sake, dear Matt, hide the nakedness of 
thy country ; and give the best tqrn thy fei-tile brain 
irill furnish thee with, to the blunders of thy countiy- 
men, who are not much better politicians than the french 
are poets. 

I have writ in great haste a prodigious long letter to 
Monsieur de Torcy, which, I believe, he will show you ; 
but, for fear he should not, I enclose in thb an extract 
of part of it, which relates to a matter thai has givca 



236 LETTERS. TO AND FROM 

lord treasurer and your humble servant no small trouble 
in the cabinet The copy of the plenipotentiaries* de- 
apatch of the 2d of September, which I likewise send, will 
diow jou how a dispute, now ob Soot at Utrecht, begas ; 
you will observe, their lordships are very warm initt 
and I can assture you, we have those who are not a jot 
cooler. 

The solution of this difficulty must come from yoa; ^ 
it is matter of management and appearance, mere tban \. 
•f substance ; and the court of France must be less pon- 
tic than I think them at any time, and more unreasons* < 
ble than I think them at this time, not to come into a j 
temperament upon a matter unnecessarily started. Toa '■ 
n^ust begin by making Monsieur de Torcy not only to it 
understand, but own he understands, the proposition fi 
which I am sure be remembers I more than once repeat- t 
ed to him, when I was in France, upon various oecir i 
sions, and which I have again stated as clearly as I an 
able. The queen can never do any thing, which bIuU 
look like a direct restraint on her allies from demanding 
what they judge necessary ; but as long as they act the 
part which they now do, she can very justly be passive 
and neuter as tQ their interests : and if her peace l)e 
made before theirs, which she will not delay for tbeia, 
she can with the same justice leave tliem to make their 
•wn bargain. This is advantage enough for France f 
and such a one, fairly speaking, as a year ago they 
would have given more than Tournay to have been sure 
•f ; they roust not therefore press us to go farther thao 
this; nor do any thing which may seem contradictoiy 
to what the queen delivered from the throne.* That 
speech they have always owned as the plan they sub- 

* See thifl speech is " Swia*i History of the Foar last Tears of the 

'ISoaeD.'' n. 



DOCfTOR SWIFT. ?37 

taitted to; and it varies but Kttle from that brought hith- 
er by Gualtler. la a word, the use which the French 
will make of the unaceouotable ob8tiQaG7 of the Dutch, 
and the other allies, may in several respects, and parti- 
cularly for aught I know iu this instance of Tournay^ ^ 
-give them an opportunity of saving and gaining more 
than they could have hoped for ; and tlie queen may in 
the present circumstances contribute passively to this 
end, imt actively she nevfr can in any circumstances. 

I think in my own opinion, and I believe speak the 
•queen's upon this occasion, that it were better the French 
ihouhl in the course of the treaty declare, " That what- 
'«vcr they intended to have given the Dutch when the 
-queen spoke firom the throne, their conduct has been 
such, and the situation of aflfairs so altered, that the kini; 
Is resolved to have Tournay restored to him." I say, 
I believe this were better than to expect that we should 
consent to an exposition of the queen^s words, by which 
her majesty would yield the town up. 

Let the conferences begin as soon as they can, I dare 
say, business will not be very speedily despatched in 
them : iu the mean time we shall go on to ripen every 
thing for a conclusion between lis and Savoy, and Francie 
•tod Spain ; and this is the true point of view, which the 
Fretich ought to have before their eyes. 

iTou will be very shortly particularly and fiilly in- 
fracted to settle the article of North America, and thosh 
points of commerce still undetermined : that done, the 
ministers may sign at Utrecht, as soon as they can hear 
fiom Lord Lexington. 

My Lotd Dartmoutli writes to you concerning a cla- 
mour which our merchants have raised, as if, under pre- 
tence of not cariyiug to Lisbon or Barcelona des pravi* 
tionft depterre mt de bouche^ they shall be debarred from 
their usual traffick of com and fish, which at those pla- 



.23S LETTERS TO AND FROM 

GC8 there are great demancb for, in time of peace as well 
as war, and without any consideration of the armies. 
The difficulty as to Lisbon seems to be removed, by the 
Portuguese submitting to come into the suspension of 
aims; and he proposes to you an expedient as to Bar- 
celona : but in truth that war must be ended of course 
BOW, since the queen supports it no longer, and the 
Dutch are recalling their fleet from the straits. The 
Duke of Arg^il is going immediately now away ; and 
the moment he comes to Minorca, he draws to him every 
thing belonging to the queen out of Catalonia ; the im- 
perial troops must in my opinion that moment submit, 
and compound for transportation : and when the war is 
at an end, I think there can be no pretence of qua^ 
relling with us for carrying our goods to the people of the 
country. 

It is now three o^clock in the morning; I have been 
bard at work all day, and am not yet enough recovered 
to bear much fatigue : excuse therefore the confusedness 
of thu scroU, which b only from Harry to Matt, and 
not from the secretary to the minuter. 

Your credentials of minister plenipotentiaiy will be 
.sent you, together with your full powers, by the next 
boat : and before Duke Hamilton goes, I will move to 
have you removed to Utrecht ; which thore will be a 
natural handle for, as soon as you shall settle the pilots 
ef commerce, and in doing that, have given the last atrdbs 
to the finishing the treaty with France. 

Make my compliments to Madam Teriol ; and let her 
know that I have, I hope, put her affair into a way d 
being finished to her satisfaction. I have spoke veij 
earnestly to Maffei, and have used the proper argumenti 
to him. 

Adieu ! my pen is ready to drop out of my hand 



x: 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 239 

Believe that oo man loves you better, or is more faitli- 
fiilly yours, &c. 

BOUJ^GfiROKE. 



P. S. I had almost forgot to tell yon, that the queeo is 
pleased to discliarge the Mareschal Tallard's parole : 
which you may assure him, With my complimeots, of; 
and give any sigoificatioa necessary iu form. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MY LORD, Kensington, Sep, 30, 1712. 

I HAVE two or three times begun letters to your 
{race, aud have toro what I writ, hoping I might send 
you something decisive about the peace. But all still 
continues to lie very loose, and I continue to be very 
despouJiog, although tlie people in alFuirs laugh at me 
{or it. I have one plain maxim in dealing with those, 
who have more cunning, and less honesty than myself, 
wluch is, what we call keeping tlic staff in my own hand, 
and contriving that they shall trust me rather than I 
them* A man may reason until he is weary upon this 
proceeding of the Dutch. The soldiers tell me that the 
Duke of Ormond could not possibly take possession of 
Dunkirk, since the foreigu troops have refused to march, 
and that the states will not suffer us to-go through their 
towns. But I had a whisper from one who should know 
best, ^' that Dunkirk might now have been ours, if right 
methods had beeu takeu.'' And another great man said 
to a friend of mine, above a fortnight ago, '^ that the 
least wrong step on that side the water might have very 
ill consequences at this juncture." Meantime, the ditj- 
€onteuted paity seems full of hopes, -and many of the 



240 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

court side, beside mjeelf, despoodiog enough. The 
necessity of laying the proposals before the parliament 
drew us Into all this; for no\r we are in a manner pinned 
down, and cannot go back an inch with any good grace : 
so that if the French play us foul, I dread the effects^ 
which are too visible to doubt.* And on the other side, 
if the per.ce goes smoothly on, I cannot but think that 
some severe inquiries will be made ; and I believe, upon 
very manifest grounds. If there be any secret in this 
matter of Dunkirk, it must be in very few hands ; and 
those who most converse with men at the helm, are, I 
am confident, very much in the dark. Some people go 
so far as to think that the Dutch will hinder even the 
Engliibh forces under the Duke of Ormond from going 
by the French country to Dunkirk : but I cannot be of 
that opinion. We suppose a few days will decide this 
matter ; and I believe, your grace will agree, that there 
was never a more nice conjuncture of affairs ; however, 
the court appears to be very resolute : several changes 
have been made, and more are daily expected. The 
Dutch are grown so unpopular, that, I believe, the 
queen might have addresses to stand by her against 
them with lives and fortunes. 

I had your grace's letter of May 29, written in the 
time of your visiting ; from whence, I hope, you are re- 
turned with health and satisfaction. 

The difficulties in the peace, by the accidents in the 
Bourbon family, are, as your grace observes, very grea^ 
and what indeed our ministers chiefly apprehend. Bat 
we think Philip's renouncing to be an effectual expedi- 
ent; not out of any regard he would have for it, but 
because it will be the interest of every prince of the 
blood in France to keep him out, and because the 

• It should !»e— « too viBible to be dmibUd qfJ* S. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 241 

Spaniards will never assist him to uoite the two king- 
doms* 

I am in hopes yet that jour grace may pay yoar 
treat ; for it is yet four weeks to T^orember, at least 
I belleye we shall be happy, or ruined, before that 
time. 

It is certain that there is something in what people 

say But the court is so lucidly constituted at 

present, that eveiy man thinks the chief trust cannot be 
any where else so well placed ; neither do I know 
above one man that would take it, and it is a great deal 
too soon for him to have such thoughts^ 

I humbly thank your grace for your concern about 
my health : I have still the remainder of some pains, 
which has partly occasioned my removing hither about 
diree weeks ago ; I was recommended to country air, 
and chose this, because I could pass my time more 
agreeably near my friends at court. We think the 
queen will go to Windsor in three weeks ; and, I be^ 
lieve, I shall be there most of the time I stay in Eng- 
land, which I intend until toward the end of summer. 

My lord treasurer has often promised he will advance 
my design of an academy ;^ so have my lord keeper, 
and all the ministers ; but they are now too busy to 
think of any thing beside what they have upon the an- 
yil. My lord treasurer and I have already pitched 
upon twenty members of both parties ; but perhaps it 
may all come to nothing. 

If things continue as they are another session^ perhaps 
your grace may see the bill of resuming the grantsf 
carried on with a great deal more rigour than it 
lately was. It was only desired that the grabtees* 

* For ftiiifkg a itaadard to the Snglish laQfoai^e. fSf,. 
t This bill was negatived. Pf. 



242 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

should pay six years purchase, and settle the remaiader 
on them hj act of parliament, and those grants are now 
irorse than other lands by more years purchase than 
fiix ; so that, in effect, they would have lost nothing. I 
am, with the greatest respect, 

Your graceV most dutiful 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



FROM THE COUNTESS OF ORKNEY* AND 

MRS. RAMSAY. 

Indorsedy * 1 712, 1 supposeJ*i 
I HAVE had. great satisfaction in the favour of your 
letter, though disappointed, since not occasioned by your* 
self. When one is too quick, misjudging commonly fol- 
lows. At first I feared Mr. Collier was taken with a fit 
of an apoplexy ; the next line I read, I wished be had 
one. in did not apprehend, by your knowing me but 
a little, that I might grow troublesome where I distin- 
guished, you should not want any conveqiency to bring 
.you hither to Mrs. Ramsay and mc, who are both, with- 
out compliment, truly mortified, intending ever to be^ 
sir. 

Your sincere humble servants, 

E. ORKNEY. 
ELIZ. RAMSAY. 
Cl^Ofii Monday: 

m 

* This ladj had been mistrett to Kiog William III. H. 
f ProbaUj in September. See Journal to Stella, Septemlier U^ 
1712. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 243 ^ 

re design to be at Windsor on Wednesdayv where I 
hope you will meet me in the drawing-room, to tell 

me when you can dine with us. 

t 



FROM THE COUNTESS OF ORKNET. 

Monday Morning. Indorsed ' 1 7 1 2, 1 believe,^ 
I AM. sure you are very ill oatured (I would not have 
\)eevL so cross to you) to have known Mr. Lewis and 
me so long, and not have made us acquainted sooner, 
when you know too that I have been in search of a rea- 
sonable conversation. I have no way to excuse you 
but doubting his to be so agreeable at a second meeting,, 
which I desire you will make when it is most conve- 
nient to both. It is not from custom I say, I am extreme- 
ly, sir, 

Your humble servant, 

E. ORKNEY. 
When you read this, I fancy you will think, what does 
she write to me ? I hate a letter as much as my lord 
treasurer does a petition. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

jnr LORD, London, Oct 21, 1712. 

* Since I had the honour of your grace's letter of July 
29, which found me at Windsor, I have been extremely 
out of order with a giddiness in my head, which pursu- 
ed me until very lately ; but, by an uneasy course ot 
physic, I hope I have in some sort overcome it. 

L 3 



2U LETTEBS TO AND FROM 

We are now in very near expectation of a peace • 
and your grace, I hope, will believe it as good a one as 
the circumstauces of things would allow. I confess I 
agree with your grace, that the great difficulty was 
about the danger of France and Spain being united un- 
der one king. To my knowledge, all possible means 
have been taken to secure that matter : and yet, after 
all, the weakest side will be there. Renunciations by 
France have very justly so little credit, that I do not 
wonder so little weight is laid on them. But Spain, we 
are sure, will, for their own sakes, enter into all securi- 
ties to prevent that union ; and all the allies must be 
guarantees. If you still object that some danger still 
remains, what is to be done ? Your grace is altogether 
misiDformed, if you think that this is at all tlie difficulty 
which so long made the Dutch untractable. It was^ 
nothing less : neither have they once mentioned, during 
all the negotiation at Utrecht, one syllable of getting 
Spain out of tlie Bourbon family, or into that of Austria, 
as the cliief men have assured me not three days ago. 
Buys offered last winter to ease us immediately of the 
trouble we were in by Lord ^ Kottiugham's vote, if wc 
would consent to let them share with us in the advanta- 
ges we had stipulated with France ; which advantagesi 
however, did by no means clash with Holland, and were 
only conditional, if peace should ensue. But, my lord, 
we know fariher, that the Dutch made offers to treat 
with France, before we received any from thence ; and 
were refused, upon the ill usage they gave Mr. Torcy at 
the Hague, and tlie Abbe de Polignac afterward al 
Gertriiydenberg : and we know that Torcy would have 
been forced to apply to them again, if, after several re- 
fusals, we had not hearkened to their overtures. What 
I teil your grace is infallibly true; and care shall be 
iaken very soon to satisfy the world in this^ and many 



DOCTOJl SWIFT. 24fi 

^heir (wrticalars at large, which ought to be knowa : for, 
the kiogdom is very miich ia the dark, after all the pah» 
hitherto taken to ioform. it Tour grace's conjectures 
are vety right, that a genera] peace would not be for our 
uiterM, if we had made ours with France. And I re> 
member a certain great man used to say two months ago, 
^ Fight OB, fight on, my menrj men all.'' I believe like- 
wise, that such a peace would have happened, if the 
Dutch had not lately been more compliant ; upon which 
our ministers told those of France, that siiice the States 
were disposed to submit to the queen, her majesty must 
enter into their interests : and I believe they have as 
good conditions as we ever intended they should. Tour- 
nay, I hope, will be yielded to them : and Lisle we ne- 
ver deseed they should have. The emperor will be 
lised as he deserves; and having ptM nothing for the 
war, shall get nothing by the peace. We are most con- 
cerned (next to oor regard to Holland) for Savoy,* and 
France for Bavaria.t I believe we shall make them 
both kings, by the help of Sardinia and Sicily. But I 
know not how plans may alter every day. The queen's 
whole design, as your grace conjectures, is to act the 
pan of a mediator ; and our advantages, too many to 
insert here, must be owned very great. 

As for an academy to correct and settle our language, 
lord treasurer talked of it often very warmly ; but I 
doubt, is yet too busy until the peace be over. He goes 
down to Windsor on Friday, to be chosen of the gaiter, 
with five more lords. 

I know aothing of premises of any tbiug intended for 
vyaelf $ but, I thank God» I an^ not very warm in mj 

• Victor Amadeug, Boke of Savoj, wai madeKios of Sardinia \j 
"this treaty. N. 
'f All bad policy, ai thiogi then itood. H> 



"I 



245 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

ezpectatioDs, and know courts too well to be aurpriaedift 
disappoiDtineats; which, however, I shall have nogreal 
reason to fear, if I gave my tlioughts any trouble thai 
waj, which, without affectation, I do not : although I 
cannot expect to be believed when I saj so. I aai> &xk 



FROM THE COUNTESS OF ORKNEY. 

London^ Nop. 21, 1712. 
This key will open treasures; but vain in me t9 
know them** Your convenience is my satisfaction. If 
I can or may read what will be in thb table, it ought 
and shall be my happiness. You must discern tins 
comes from the most interested joiner that ever made a 
thing of this nature.. Peruse narrowly, and what faults 
you find, they shall be mended in every particular, to the 
utmost capacity o( sir. 

Your obliged humble servant, 

E. ORKNEY. 



TO THE COUNTESS OF ORKNEY. 

XADAH, Nov. 21, 1712; 

When, upon parting with your ladyship, you were 
pleased to tell me I should find your [wesentf at bome^ 
natural justice pronipted me to resolve, that the first use 
I made of it should be in paying acknowledgments to 



* ThisItHer was accompanied' wifh a prcflentof a writing-tatfe^ 
teal, paper, wax, &c. H, 
:|; Seethe preceding letter. VL 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 249 

my beaefactor. But, when I opened the writuig-table» 
mrbich I must qow call mine, I fouud jou had ueither 
sent penf, ink, uor paper, sufficient for such an under- 
taking. But I ought to tell yoar ladyship in order, that 
I firs( got there a much more valuable thing : and I 
cannot do gi-eater honour to my scrutoiie, than to assure 
your ladyship tliat your letter is the first tiling I have 
put in it, and shall be the last I ^ill ever take out. I 
must tell your ladyship, that I am this moment under a 
very great concern. I was fully convinced that I sliould 
write with a new spirit by the influence of the materials 
you sent me; but it is quite otherwise : I have not a 
grain of invention, whetlier out of the confusion which 
attends us when we strive too much to acquit ourselves, 
or whether your pens and ink are sullen, and think them- 
selves disgraced, since they have changed their owner. 
I heartily thank your ladyship, for making me a present 
that looks like a sort of establishment. I plainly see, by 
the contrivance, that if you were first minister,, it would 
have been a cathedral. As it is, you have more coa» 
ti'ibuted toward fixing me, than all the ministry together; 
for it is difUcult to travel with this equipage, and it will 
be impossible to travel or live without it. You have 
an undoubted title to whatever papers this table shall 
ever contain (except your- letter) and I desire you wiU^ 
please to have another key made for it ; that when the 
court shall think fit to give me a room worth putting it 
into, your ladyship may come and search it whenever 
you please. 

\ir i beg your ladyship to join in laughing with me, at 
my unreasonable vanity, when I wished that the motto 
written about the wax was a description of yourself. 
But, if I am disappointed in that, your ladyship will be 
so in all the rest; even this ink will never be able to- 
convey your ladyship's note as it ought. The paper 



Un LETTERS TO AND FROM; 

will cootaiQ no wonders, but when it mentions you; 
fieither is the leal any otherwise an emblem of my life^ 
than by the deep impressiou your ladyship has made, 
which nothing but my death can wear out By the in- 
flcripiioQ about the pens, I fear there is some mistake; 
and that your ladyship did not design them for me. 
However, I will keep them until you can find the per- 
son you intended should have them, and who will be able 
to dispose of them according to your predictions. I 
cannot find that the workman you employed and direct- 
ed, has made the least mistake : but there are four im- 
plements wanting. The two first I shall not name, be- 
cause an odd superstition forbids us to accept them, from 
our fi lends; tlie third is aspunge, which the people long 
have given so ill a reputation to, that I vow it shall be 
DO gifl of your ladyship : the last Is a flat ivory instru- 
ment, used in folding up letters, which I insist you must 
provide. 

See, madam, the first fruits this unlucky present of 
yours has produced. It is but giving a fiddle to a scra- 
per, or a pestle and mortar to an apothecary, or a torf 
pamphlet to Mrs. Ramsay. Nothing is so great a dis^ 
couragement to generous persons, as the fear of being 
worried by acknowledgments. Besides, your ladyship 
is an insufferable kind of giver, making every present 
fifly times the value, by the circumstances and manner- 
And I know people in the world, who would not oblige 
me so much, at the cost of a thousand pounds, as yoa 
iiave done at that of twenty pounds: which, I must^ 
Deeds tell you, is anunconscionable way of dealing, and 
whereof, I believe, nobody alive is so guiify as yoitf- 
self. In short, you deceive my eyes, And corrupt my 
judgment r nor am I now sure of any things, but that of 
l^ing, Sic^ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 24t 

FROM THE COUNTESS OF ORKNEY. 

Nmf. 22, 1712. 
Yov an extremely obliging to wrhe how well jon 
take my whim, id telHog mj trae tbougbts of your mind : 
for I was ashamed when I reflected, and hoped I should 
see you sooo after expressing the value I have of you io 
an ttncommon way. But this I write with assurance 
ibat I am, very sincerely, sir, 

Your obliged bumble servant, 

E. ORKNEY. 



FROM THOMAS HARRISON, ESQ.^ 

Utrecht, Dec. IC, 1712. 
Your thanks of the 25th of November, sir, come be- 
fore their time; the condition of the obligation being 



• This letter is iodorsed, •• Th. Harrison, Esq. secretary of the 
embassy; since dead, the same year.** He owed his post of seereta* 

• ry to the British embassy at Utrecht to the recommendation of Dr^ 
Swift, and was eminent for his genius ahd learning, was educated at 
Queen*8 College, in Oxford, where he took the degree of master of 
arts, December 13, 1795. Mr. Tickell, who was of the same college, 
is hii poem to his excellency, the lord privy seal, on the prosiiect of 

.jpeace, pays a comi^iment to his friend Mr. Harrison, in theie Ulke$< 

'** That mirch-loT*d youth, whom Utrecht*s walls confine, 
** To Bristol's praises shall his Strafford's join.*' 

The reader will find some circamstancet relating to him and bis last 
yickness in Dr. Swift's letter, or journal, written to Mrs Dingley, bc- 
ginnhig January 25, 1712-13, by which it appears, that Mr. Harri- 
son coming over to England from Utreeht with the barrier treaty, 
died Feb. 14, 1712-13. Jacob, in his Lives of the En/i^ish IV)et», 
▼•U 1) P* 70, has committed two nil takeif in calling him. William iMT 



250 LETTEBS TO AND FROM 

that you should receive twelve shirts, which number 
•hall be completed bj tlie first proper occasioo. Your 
kind letter, however, is extremely seasonable; and (next 
to a note firom the treasury) has proved the most vivify- 
ing cordial in the world. If you please to send me now 
and then as much of the same as will lie upon the tqp 
of your pen, I should be contented to take sheets ibr 
shirts to the end of the chapter. 

Since you are so good as to enter into my affairs, I 
shall trouble you with a detail of them, as well as of my 
conduct since I left England : which, in my opinion, you 
have a right to inspect, and approve or condemn as you 
think fit. During my state j)f probation with the Earl 
•f Strafford, it was ray endeavour to recommend myself 
to his excellency rather by fidelity, silence, and an en- 
tire submission, than by an affectation to shine in his 
service : And whatever diilicuUies, whatever discou- 
ragements fell in my way, I think it appears that they 
were surmounted in the end ; and my advancement fol- 
lowed upon it sooiier than I expected ; another would 
say, much sooner tlian I deserved, winch I should easi- 
ly agree to, were it not, that I flatter myself there is 
some merit in the behaviour I kept, when the hopes and 
. temptation of being preferred glittered in my eyes. All 
the world knows upon' what foot Mr. Watkins* thought 
himself with my Lord Strafford ;t and though all the 
world does not know what I am going to -tell you, yet 
Mr. Watkins does on one hand, and my Lord Strafford 
on the other, that all the credit I had with either, was 

stead of Thomas, and in saying, that he died in Holland in 1713. He 
Bentions among Mr. Harrison's works, ^ Woodstock Park, idscribed 
to the lord chancellor Cowper.** . B. 

• Henry Watkins, Esq. late secretary. H. 

f Thomas, Earl of Strafford, ambassador extraordinary and pkirir 
foteotiaiT U the StaWi QviMiaX. H. 



. DOCTOR SWIFT. 251 

heartily, and without reserve, employed to make mat- 
ters easy ; and to cultivate, in my humble station, that 
good understanding, which our court desired should be 
between them. I had my reasons for this, and such per* 
haps as flowed from an inclination to promote my own 
interest. I knew as well as any man living almost, how 
much Mr. Watkins was valued by my Lord Bolingbroke 
and others. I foresaw the danger of standing in compe- 
tition with him, if that case should happen : and, to tell 
you the truth: I did not think myself ripe in regard of 
interest at home, or of any service I <x>uld pretend to 
have done abroad, to succeed Mr. Watkins in so good 
an employment. Above all, I protest to you, sir, that 
if I know my own heart, I am capable of sufiering the 
utmost extremities rather than violate the infinite duty 
and gratitude I owe my Lord Bolingbroke, by doing an 
ill office to a person honoured with such particular marks 
of his lordship's esteem. I might add to this, that I 
really loved Mr. Watkins; and I beg you, sir, to urge 
him to the proof, whether my whole behaviour was not 
such, as might justify the warmest professions I can 
make of that kind. After all this, how comes it, that 
he, either in raillery or good earnest, accuses me of hav- 
ing any resentment against him ? By word of mouth 
when he left us, by letters so long as he allowed me to 
coiTCspond with him, and by all the people that ever 
went from Utrecht to Flanders, have I importuned him 
for the continuance of his friendship : and, perhaps, evea 
in his absence (if he pleases to reflect) given him a very 
essential proof of mine. If any body has thought it 
worth their while to sow division between us, I wish ha 
thought it worth his to let me into the sf cret ; and 
nothing, he may be sure, shall be wanting on my side to 
defeat a stratagem, which, for aught I know, may end 
in the starving of bis humble servant* 



252 LETTEBS TO AND FROM 

• 

Which leads me oaturallj to die second thio^ propos- 
ed to be spoken to in my text; namely, my circurostaD- 
ces : for between you and me, sir, I apprehend the trea- 
sury will issue out no money on my account, till they 
know what is due on that of Mr. Watkins's. And if he 
lias any pretensions, I have none, that I know of, but 
what are as precarious to me, as a stiver I gave away 
but now to a be^ar, was to him. Is it possible, that Mr. 
Watkins can demand the pay of a commission, which is, 
by tlie queen herself, actually superseded, during his ab- 
aence from his post ? Or is it not as plainly said in 
mine, that I am her majesty's secretary during such his 
absence, as in his that he was so, while he resided here? 
If I must be crushed, sir, for God's sake let some reason 
be alleged for it ; or else an ingenuous confession made, 
that Stat pro ratiaae vaUmias, If you can fix Mr. 
Watkins to any final determination on this subject, you 
Iriil do roe a singular service, and I shall take my mea^ 
aures accordingly. Though I know your power, I can- 
Bot help distrusting it on this occasion. Before I con- 
clude, give me leave to put you in mind of beating my 
Uianks into my Lord Bolingbroke's eais, for his late ge- 
nerosity, to the end that his lordship may be wearied oat 
•f the evil habit he has got, of heaping more obligations 
and goodness on those he is pleased to favour, than their 
shoulders are able to bear. For my own part, I have so 
often thanked his lordship, that I have now no more 
vays left to turn my thoughts ; and beg if you havQ any 
right good compliments neat and fine by you, that yda 
Irill advance the necessary, and place them, with the 
Other helps you have given me, to my account; which 
1 question not but I sliall be able to acknowledge at one 
and the same time, ad Qracas calmdas. 

In the mean time, I shall do my beat to give you just 
ifuch hints as you dcsixeby V\^ t«3X.v^V\ ^^W4^\ t»ae 



DOCTOE SWIFT. 2&3 

]U»t but th^k there are some letters id tbe office, yilnch 
would serve yoijgr turu a good deal better thao any things 
I cao tell jou about the people at the Hague. Tour 
access there abundantly prevents my atlerapting to write 
you any news from hence. Aad I assure you, sir, you 
dm write me none from England (however uneasy my 
49KCumstance8 are) which will be so agreeable^ as that of 
your long-expected advancement. It grieves me to the 
spuli that a person, who has been so instrumental to the 
raising of me from obscurity and distress, should not be* 
yet set above the power of fortune, and the malice of 
those enemies your real merit has created. I beg, dear 
flur, the coDtinuauce of your kind care and inspection over 
ipe ; and that you would in all respects command, re. 
prove, or instruct me, as a father; for I protest to yot^ 
sir^ I do^ and ever shall, honour and regard you with tfaitf 
alTectiou of a son. 



TO THE DUCHESS OF ORMOND. 

r 

UADAM, Dec. 20, 1712. 

Ant other person, of less refinement and prudence 
than myself, would be at a loss how to thank your grace, 
upon the surprise of coming home last night, and finding 
two pictures^ where only one was demanded. But I 
understood your grace's malice, and do here affirm you 
to be the greatest prude upon earth. Tou will not so 
much as let yoiu* picture be alone in a room with a nanj 
no, not with a clergyman, and a clergyman of five-and- 

* " The Duchess of Ormond promised me her picture ; and comiQg 
)iome to-Dight, I foond her*8 and the 4Hke*f botli im my dkvmhety 
Journal to StelLi, Dec. It, 1712. K. 



254 LEtTERS TO AISTD FROM 

ibrty : and therefore resolved my lord duke should ac- 
company it, and keep me in aive, that I might not pre- 
fume to look too often upon it For my own part, I be- 
gin already to repent that I ever begged your grace^s 
picture ; and could almost find io my heart to send it 
you back : for, although it be the most beautiful sight I 
ever beheld, except the original, yet the veneration and 
respect it (ills me with, will always make me think 
I am in your grace's presence ; will hinder me from 
saying and writing twenty idle things, that used to 
divert me : will set me labouring upon majestic, sublime 
ideas, at which I have no manner of talent ; and will 
make those who come to visit me, think I am grown, on 
the sudden, wonderful stately and reserved. But, in 
life, we must take the evil with the good ; and it is one 
comfort, that I know how to be revenged. For, the 
Bight of your grace's resemblance will perpetually re- 
mind me of paying my duty to your person; which will 
give your grace the torment, and roe the felicity of a 
more frequent attendance. 

But, after alJ, to deal plainly with your grace, your 
picture (and I must say the same of my lord duke's) will 
be of very little use, farther than to let others see the 
honour you are pledged to do me : for, all the accom- 
plishments of your mind and person are so deeply print* 
ed in the heart, and represent you so lively to my ima- 
gination, that I should take it for a high aflfront, if you 
believed it in the power of colours to refresh my memo- 
ry : almost as high a one, as if your grace should deny 
me the justice of being, with the most profound respect 
and gratitude, madam, your grace's, &c. 



/ 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 255 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

KT L0s3Di» London, Jan. 3, 1712-13. 

Since I had the honour of your ix^ce's letter, we 
have had a dead time of news and politics ; and I make 
a couacieDce of writiDg to jou without something that 
will recompense the trouble of reading. I cannot but 
grant that jour grace, who are at a distance, and aigue 
from your own wisdom. and general observations and 
reading, is likely to be more impartial than I, who, in 
^lite of my resolutions and opinion to the contrary, am 
forced to converse only with one side of the worl<]^ 
which fastens prejudices io me, notwithstanding all I 
can do to avoid them. Your grace has certainly hit 
upon the weak side of our peace ; but I do not find 
you have prescribed any remedies. For, that of limit- 
ing France to a certain number of ships *and troops, wa% 
I doubt, not to be compassed. While that mighty king- 
dom remains under one monarch, it will be always ia 
some degree formidable to its neighbours. But we flat- 
ter ourselves it is likely to be less bo than ever, by the 
concurrence of many circumstances too long to trouble 
you with. But, my lord, what is to be done ? I will 
go so far with your grace as to tell you, that some of 
our friends are of opinion with the other party, that if 
this last campaign had gone on with the conjunction of 
the British troops, France might have been in danger of 
being driven to great extremes. Yet I confess to you, 
at the same time, that if I had been first minister, I 
should have advised the queen to pursue her measureg 
toward a peace. 

Some accidents and occasions have put it in my way 
to know every step of this treaty better, I think, than 
any man in England. And I do ase^iV Vft -^wix ^^^r^^ 



256 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

that if FraDce had been closety pushed this campaign, 
they would, upon our refusal, have made offers to Hol- 
land, which the republic would certalolj have accepted ; 
and in that case the interests of England would have 
been wholly laid aside, as we saw it three years at the 
Hague and Gertruydenberg. The Marshal D'Uxilles 
and Mesuager, (wo of the French plenipotentiaries, 
were wholly inclined to have begun by the Dutch ; but 
the third, Abb^ de Folignac, who has most credit with 
Monsieur Torcy, was for beginning by England. 

There was a great faction in France by this proceed- 
ing: and it was a mere personal resentment, in the 
French king and Monsieur Torcy, against the States, 
which hindered them from sending the first overture 
there. And I believe your grace will be convinced, by 
considering, that the demands of Holland might be much 
more easily satisfied, than those of Britain. The States 
were very indifferent about the article of Spain being 
ill the Bouibon family, as Monsieur Buys publicly own- 
ed when he was here, and among others to myself. 
They valued not the demolition of Dunkirk, the fron- 
tier of Portugal, nor the security of Savoy. They ab- 
horred the thoughts of our having Gibraltar and Minor- 
ca, nor cared what became of our dominionlB in Noith 
America. All they had at heart was the^^overeignty 
of Flanders, under the name of a barrier, and to stipu- 
late what they could for the emperor, to make him easy 
under their encroachments. I can farther assure your 
grace, before any proposals were sent hei*e from France, 
and ever since, until within these few months^ the Dutch 
have been endeavouring constantly, by private intrigues 
with that court, to undermine us, and put themselves at 
the head of a treaty of peace ; which is a truth that 
perhaps the world may soon be informed in, with seve- 
ral othen that ate WlAe \awti, l&e&ldes, my lord, I 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 257 




doubt whether you have sufHcientlj reflected oq the 
conditjop of thk kiogdom^ and the possibility of pursu- 
ing the war at that ruinous rate. This argument is not 
the weaker for being often urged. Besides, France is 
likely to have a long minority ; or, if not, perhaps to be 
en«:aged in a civil war. And I do not find that in pub- 
lic affairs, human wisdom is able to make provisions for 
futurity, which are not liable to a thousand accidents. 
We have done all we can ; and for the rest, curenl pos- 
ierL 

Sir William Temple's Memoirs, which you mention- 
ed, is his first part,* and was published twenty years ago ; 
it is chiefly the treaty of Nimeguen, and was so well 
known, that I could hardly think your grace has not 
seen it. 

I am in some doubt, whether a fall from a horse be 
suitable to the dignity of an archbishop. It is one of 
the chief advantages in a great station, that one is ex- 
empt from common accidents of that kind. The late 
kingt indeed got a fall ; but his majesty was a fox-hunt- 
er. I question whether you can plead any precedent 
to excuse you ; and, therefore, I^hope you will commit 
no more such errors : and in the mean time, I heartily 
congratulate with your grace, that I can rally you upon 
this accident. 

I am in some fear that our peace will hardly be con- 
cluded in several weeks, by reason of a certain incident 
that could not be foreseen ; neither can I tell whether 
the parliament will sit before the conclusion of the 
peace; because some persons differ in their politics 

* That ig, tb^ first part existing ; for the first part wriften was de- 
stroyed by Sir William Temple himself: of the tiiird, Dr. Swift was 
tJie editor. N. 

f King William 111. who died by a faU from his horse. N.' 

VOL. XV. M 



K^ 



I25S LETTERS TO. AND FROitf 



aboiit the matter. If others were not wiser thaa I> 
your sesdon abould not^be deferred upon that account. 
I am, with the greater respect, . -*** 

Your grace's most dutifiil and humble servant 



VROm LORD BOLmGBROKE, 

Thursday marmng, two o^clock^ 
Jan. 5, 1712-13. 
Though I have not seen, yet I did not fail to write 
to lord treasurer. Nan tua res agiiur^ dear Jonathan. 
It is the treasurer's cause ;* it is my cause ; it is every, 
man's cause, who is embarked on our bottom. Depend 
upon it, that I never will neglect any opportunity of 
showing that true esteem, that sincere affection, and 
honest friendship for you, which fill the breast of your, 
faithful friend, 

BOLINOBROKE. 



TO THE DUKE OF AROTLL. 

act LORD, January 20, 1 7 1 2-1 3. 

I WOULD myself have delivered the answer I aeot 
yesterday to your grace at court by Dr« Arbuthoot, if I 
bad not thought the right of complainipg to be on ray 
side : for, I think it was my due, that you should have 

* Tbii seems to relate ta tiie promodoo of Dn Swift, ia wlikli 
Lord Bolmgbroke, in one of his letters, chaises the. lord treMorer 
with being extremely backward. See also Journal to Stella, A|Kril7, 
1713. Dr. Swift was xoade Dean of St. Patrick's oQ.the 23d oC that 



DOCTOR SWIFT^ 



m 



!mm(^(liateljr told me whatever you had heard aaiiflB of 
my oondud to ymxt grace. Whenl bad the honour to 
be first known to those in the ministry, I made it an eX" 
press condition, ^ that whoever did me ill offices, they 
should inform roe of what was said, and hear my viodi- 
cation ; that I might not be mortified with countenan- 
ces estranged of the sudden, and be at a loss for the 
cause." And I think, there is no person alive, whose 
flavour or protection I would pui-chase at that expense. 
I could not speak to the disadvantage of your grace 
without being ungrateful (which is an ill word) since 
you were pleased voluntarily to make so many prefer* 
sions of favour to me for some years past $ and your be* 
iog a duke and a general, would have swayed me not 
at all in my respect for your person, if I had not thouglit 
you to abound in qualities, which I wish weie easier to 
be found in those of your rank. I have indeed some* 
times heard what your grace was told I reported ; but 
as I am a stranger to colTee-houses, so it is a great deal 
below me to spread coffee-house reports. This accusa- 
tion is a little the hai'der upon me, because I have al- 
ways appeared fond of your grace's character ; and 
have, with great industry, related several of your gene- 
rous actions, on purpose to remove the imputation of 
the only real fault^ (for I say nothing of common frail- 
ties) which I ever heard laid to your chai;ge. I confess, 
I have often thought that Homer's description of Achil- 
les bore some resemblance to your grace, but I do not 
remember that ever I said so. At the same time, I 
think few men were ever bom with nobler qualities to 
fulfil and adorn every office of a subject, a fiienufimd a 
protector, &c. 

* In hit ** Mem^rt relating to tHe Changes in the Queen^s Minifi. 
try," Dr. Swift speaki of the Duke of Ai^yll'* " iaLttf!5»RX.'K^^'«^- 
hitioui spintf oerer euy uhlle there ww «By oofc ^XR»t\i»w^^^ "^ 



f«k) LETTERS TO AND FROM 

■ ■ . 

FlR)M ROBERT HUNTER, ESQ,."^ ' 

New-York, Match 1, 1712-13. 

I THINK I am indebted to j'ou for twp letters, and 
shovild have continued so, tiad it not been for the appre* 
hension of your ^"tting a wrong construction upon my 
neglect. My friends being few in number, I would not 
williiigly, or by my own fault, neglect nor lose those I 
have. The true cause is this. My unhappy circum- 
stances have so soured me, that whatever I write must be 
vinegar and gall to a man of your mirth. For the bet- 
ter understanding of which, be pleased to read them in 
the words of one of my most renowned predecessors : 
Quando pens^ venir a este govierno a comer caliente, y a 
hover fno, y a rccrear il cuerpo entre sahanas de Olanda 
Sobre colchones depluma^ he venido a haser penitencia, eo- 
mo scfitcra Ermctanno, y coino no la hago de me volontad^ 
f. pcnso que al caho al cabo, me ha de jfevar el diablo, 
»w This worthy was indeed but a type of me, of which I 
'^"^ could fully convince you by an exact parallel between 
' our administrations and circumstances^ wliich I shall re- 
serve to another opportunity. 

The truUi of the matter is this : I am used like a dog, 
after liaving done all that is in the power of man to de- 
serve a better treatment, so that I am now quite jaded. 
Mali vehi malo alio gubeniante, quam tarn malts recto- 
rihus bene gubernare. 

The approaciiiijg peace will give leisure to the minis* 
. tiy to tfijnk of proper remedies for thedigtracled state of 
aJltl^jjrovinces ; but of this more particul?irly, ihe im- 
portance of it by its situation being greater, and the dan- 

* B/ijfadier Hunter, jovemor of New-Yoric and New-Jersey, who 
wa^ a/iterward appointed governor w\^ c"aL\>\.^\w-^"Kv\^^'\l of Jamaica, 
Xu the room of tha Duke ^Pon\auA,\<Ho«L\e^>;)tvtTe,V\\7 \,Y?a. ^. 



^ 



- DOCTOR SWIFT. 2Q 

ger bj their conduct more immiaeDt, than that of the 
rest. I haye dpqe toy duty la represeoting their ipro^ 
ce^dlngSy'and^ warning them of the consequences; and 
there I leave it. . Neque tarn me tvtXvt^tet consoUdur 
ut anlea quam xi't^^optet qud nulla in re tarn utor qudm 
in hdc civili et pvJblicd. I have purchased a seat for a 
bishop, and by orders from the society have given direc- 
tion to prepare it for .his reception. You once upon a 
day gave me hopes of seeing you there. It would be to 
me no small relief to have so good a friend to complain 
to. Wliat would it be to you to hear me when you could 
not help me, I know not. Ccctera desunt — for the post 
cannot stay. Adieu. 

I am very sincerely your's, 

R. HUNTER. 



FROM GOVEJEINOR HUNTER. 

New-York, March 14, 1712-13. 

QUONORGH quanimi diadadejga geaeroghqua ague^ 
gon ichitckendgarei ; or, lest you should not have youp 
Iroquoise Dictionary at hand, " Broihqr, I honoui'you, 
and all your tribe;" though that is to be taken cum. 
grano salts ; for one of them has done me much harm. 
God reward him, &c. For that, and what you want to 
know besides, relating to me, I refer you to the bearer, 
Mr. Sharp, our chaplain ; a very worthy, ingenious, and 
conscientious clergyman. I wrote to you .spme time 
ago by a merchant ship, and therein gave you some hints, 
of my sulfenngs, which aire not diminished sjnce that 
time. In hopes of a better settlement, I wished for your 
company. Until that comes, I can contribute to nothing^ 
but your spleen. Here is the Jiaest ot Vq \\s^ w^^\i.\!o^ 



sW 



XETTEBB TO ANB ^JPROM 



die uiiTene: and if our trees and bfards coold wptiUkt 
mad our aBaemUTmeD be-aUeut, tiieJBflest conyex^tfeD 
.loo. Fcft0iiiiiifi tellwfj bat not for me. For joa mut 
•uiidarBtazid, according to the custom of our eountry, the 
jlichqns are of the poorest of thftj ieople, I hare got 
the wrong side of Sir Folklore's office; a great deal to 
do, and nothing to receive. Ic( a word, and tobe serious 
at last, I have spent three years of life in such torment 
and vexation, that nothing in life can ever make amends 
for it. Tu interim sis ketusy ei memor nostrikn. Vale^ 

'It* '£[«- 



TO ARCHBISHOP KmC. 

r 

MY LORD^ London^ March 28, 1^13. 

Although your humour of delaying, which is a good 
deal in fashion, might serve me for authority and exam- 
ple in not sooner acknowledging your grace's letter, I 
shsll not make that use of it; but naturally tell.yOO, 
that the public delay has been the cause of mine. We 
have lived almost these two months past by the week, 
expecting that parliament would meet, and the ^ueen 
tell them that peace was signed. But unforeseen diffi- 
culties have arisen, partly by some mistakes in our {>le* 
Kiipotentiaries, as well as of those of France, loo long to 
ttrottble your grace with, since we now reckon all will 
be at an end ; and the queen has sent new powers to 
}Jtrecht, which her ministers there must obey, I thinks 
or be left without excuse. The peace will be g%ned 
with France, Holland, the emperor. Savoy, Portugal, 
and England : but Spain has yet no minister kt Utrecht, 
tlie Dutch making difficulties about the Duke d'Os- 
sane^B passports ; but the Marquis de Montellion i?in 



0" 

DOCTOR SWIFT. 2« . • 

^ soda begin his journey ; at least he telh me so. How- 
'-^vtx^ it 18 of DO great momeDt wliether Spain comes in 
.'now, or a month hence ; and the parliament will be sa- 
tisfied with the rest. People here have grumbled at 
those prorogations until they are weary ; but they are 
not very convenient, considering how many funds are 
out, and how late it is in the year. They think of tak- 
ing off two shillings in the pound from the land-tax; 
"which I always argued earnestly against : but the court 
lias a mind to humour the country gentlemen, and the 
thing is popular enough ; but then we must borrow upon 
new funds, which it will be of the last difficulty to in- 
vent or to raise. The other party are employed in 
qpreadiog a report most industriously, that the lord 
treasurer intends, afler the pe^c^ to declare for the 
vhigs. They have spread it in Scotland, to prepare 
people for the next election ; and Mr. Annesly told me 
the other day at my lord steward's, that he had heard I 
writ the same to my friends in Ireland ; which, as it is 
wholly without ground, so the fact is what I never had 
the least belief of, although your lordship is somewhat of 
his grace's mind, in not refusing to converse with his 
greatest enemies ; and therefore he is censured, as you 
say you are, upon the same account. And to those who 
tsharge him with it (as some are free enough to do it) he 
only says, his friends ought to tiust him ; and I have 
some reason to believe, that after a peace, the direct 
contrary will appear. For my own part, I entirely 
agree with your grace, that a free man ought not to con* 
fiiie his converse to any one party ; neither would I do 
00 if I were free ; but I am not, and perhaps much less 
is a great minister in such a juncture as this. Amodg 
many qualities I have observed in the treasurer, there 
is one which is something singular, that he will be under 
an imputation, how wttag soever, without the paiins of 



.264 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

clearing himself to his nearest friends, ixhkh is owing to 
^ great integrity, great courage, or great contempt of cen- 
sure. I know he has abundance of the two last, aud I 
believe he has the first 

Your grace's observations on the French dexterity in 
negotiation, as well as their ill faith, are certainly right ; 
but let both be as great as possible, we must treat with 
them one time or other ; and if ministers will not be up- 
on their guard against such notorious managers, tliey are 
altogether inexcusable. But I do assure your grace, 
that as it has fallen in my way to know more of the steps 
of this whole treaty, than perhaps any one man beside, I 
eannot see that any ihing in the power of humaa pru- 
dence, under many difficult conjunctures, has been omit- 
ted. We have been forced to conceal the best side^ 
which I agree has been unfortunate and unpopular ; but 
you will please to consider, that this way of eveiy sub- 
ject interposing their sentiments upon tlie management 
of fereign negotiations, is a very new thing among us ; 
«nd the suffering it has been thought, in the opinion of 
wise men, too great a strain upon the prerogative ; espe- 
cially giving a detail of particulars, which, in the varie- 
ty of events, cannot be ascertained during the course of 
a treaty. I could easily answer the objection of your 
grace^s friends in relation to the Dutch, and why they 
made those difficulties at the Hague and Gertruyden- 
berg. And when the whole stoiy of these two last in- 
triguing years comes to be published, the world will 
have other notions of our proceedings. This periiaps 
will not be long untold, and might already have been, if 
other people had been no wiser than I. After all, my 
lord, I grant that from a distant view of tilings, abun- 
dance of objections may be raised against many p&rts of 
our condiict. But the difficulties which gave room to 
these objections are iiol sfe^u, wA^«x\\«^ ^ms of them 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 265 f^ 

will never appear; neither maj it b6 coavenient they 
should. If in the end it appears that we have made a 
good bargain for you, we hope you will take it without 
entering too nicely into the circumstances. I will not 
undertake to defend our proceedings against any man wlio 
will not allow this postulatum, that it was impossible to' 
carry on the war any longer : which, whoever denies^ 
either has not examined the state of the nation with 
respect to its debts, or denies it from the spirit of party. • 
When a friend of mine objected this to-Lord Nottingham, 
he freely confessed it was a thing he had never consider- 
ed. But, however, be would be against any peace with- 
out Spain ; and why ? because he was- not privy seali^ 
But then, why does he vote with the whigs in every 
thing else, although peace has no concern ? because he 
was not privy seal. - I< hope, my lord,' we shall in time 
unriddle you many a dark problem, and let you see that 
faction, rage, rebellion, revenge, and ambition, were deep> 
ly rooted in the hearts of those who have been the great- 
obstructors of the queen's measures, and of the kingdon^g 
liappiness; and if I am not mistaken, such a scene may 
open, as will leave the present age and posterity, little ■ 
room to doubt who were the real friends, and real eae- * 
mies of their country.* At the same time I know nothing : 
IS so rash as predicting upon the events of public coun-^ 
cils ; and I see many accidents very possible to happen i 
which may soon defeat all my wise conjectures. I am^v 
my lord, 

Your grace's most dutiful - 

and most humble obedient servant • 

^Seehia^HistoryoftheFoarlast Years of tbeQueea.'* I^* 

M 2~ 



v> 



h 266 LETT^ERS TO AND FROM 



FROM MR. PRIOR.* 

Pdiris, Aprils, 1713. 
Pray take this word, writ after our packet is closed, 
aDd the messenger staying for it, as ao equivalent for- 
your despatches at midnight when the writer was half • 
asleep. Hang me if I know how to go on, though I am 
in atcountry where every body does not only write let- 
ters but print them. Our great affair goes on very suc- 
cessfully. We tiAismit the Spanish treaty, concluded 
at Madiid, for your approbation in England, and trans- 
mission to Utrecht : after which I think, pctx sit will be- 
come authentic Latin ; after which, I suppose, our socie- 
ty will flourisli, and I shall have nothing to do but to 
partake of that universal protection, which it will re- 
ceive. In the mean time, pray give my great respects 
to our brethren ;t and tell them that, while in hopes of 
being favoui'ed, they are spending their own money. I 
am advancing mj interest in the French language, and 
forgetting my own mother tongue. But we shall have 
time enough to perfect our English, when we have done 
jvith other matters. I want mightily to hear from lord 
treasurer. Tell him so. I owe brother Arbuthuot a 
letter. Excuse my not wriiingto him, till I know wliat 
to say. I cannot find Yanhomrigh^ since he brought me 
your letter. I have a rari(y of a book to send you by 
the first fair occasion. It makes but little of the English 
wit, " The Guardian ;" but, possibly, I do not enter in- 
to his design. Let Lord Bolingbroke know, I love him 

* At that time pleuipoteotiary to France. H* 

f The sixteen. Sec note to a lettei: from Lord Harley to Swift, 
dated Julj 17, 1714. H. 

t One of the brothers ot Vaneisai. ^t^ ^^ Vi\.\.« \s) Mm £«ther 
rairhomrigh, datedJuly »,A7\^. H» 



DOCTOB SWIFT. 267 f* 

mightily ; and praj do you as much for Dick SkeltoD* 
Adieu, my good friend* I am veiy truly, 
Your obedient and faithful sei-vaut, 

M. PRIOR. 



FROM JOHN EARL POULETT.* 

Afrit, Suhday afternoon. 
I WAS called a\^ay presently after chapel, upon some 
business which hindered me going up stairs at St. James's, 
and occasions Dr. Swift the trouble of this, to make my 
excuse for not returning the paper, which I here send 
you ; and though it is not in my power to serve you in any 
proportion to my unfeigned respects for you, yet I would 
not be wanting, on my part, in any opportunity, where! 
can, to express myself. 

Sir, your most faithful humble servant, 

POULETT. 



TO, THE REV. MR. WILLIAM DRAPER, 

DEAN, NBAH BASINGSTOKE, UAHPBHIR£.f 

SIB, London, April ISylll 3, 

I A5I ashamed to tell you how ill a philosopher I am, 
and that a very ill situation of my affairs for three weeks' 
past, made me utterly incapable of answering your 

* Indorsed / Lord Steward, 1713.' N. 

f First printed in Mr. Seward's Qiogi-aphiana, 1719, from the origi- 
nal in the possession of thatexcelleiitvii^mtVst Qili^>aJ0ci^"^\.,'^'^^5v^ ^ 
of Readiog- W. 



268 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

obliging letter, and thaokiug jou for jour most agreeable 
copy of verses. The prints will tell joa that I am con- 
demned again to live in Ireland ; and all that the court 
and ministry did for me was to let me choose my situa- 
tioQ in the country where I am banished. I could not 
forbear showing both your letter and verses to our great 
men, as well as to the men of wit of my acquaintance ; 
and they were highly approved by all. I am altogether 
a stranger to your friend Appian ; and am a little angry 
when those wiio have a genius lay it out in translations. 
I question whether ' Res angusta domi' be not one of 
your motives. Perhaps you want such a bridle as a 
translation, for your genius is too fruitful, as appeai-s by 
the freqency of your similies ; and this employment may 
teach you to write like a modest man, as Shakspeare ex- 
presses it. 

I have been minding my Lord Bolingbroke, Mr. 
Harcourt, and Sir William Win(4ham, to solicit my lord 
chancellor to give you a living, a>s a business which be- 
longs to our society, Avho assume tl)^e title of re warders 
of merit. They are all very well G^isposed, and I shall 
not fail to negotiate for you while I a^y in England, 
which will not be above six weeks; but I Bope to ^^J^tn 
in October, and if you are notUien provided for, I ^« 
move heaven and earth thatd^omethiog may be done for 
you. Our society has not ro^t of late, else I would have 
jtnoved to have two of us sent in form to request a living 
for you from my lord chancellor ; and, if you have any 
wayto employ my ^rvices, I desire you will let me 
knowlt, aB^HWievfi me, to be very sincerely, 

Sir, 
Yonr most faithful humble servant, 

JON. SWIFT. 



f 

DOCTOR SWIFT. id 

w 

FROM DR. ATTERBURY.- 

ChdsctJLy Tuesday Mormtf^ 
«R. DEAN, April 21, 1713.* 

Give me leave to tell you, that there is do man in 
England more pleased with your beiiag preferred than I 
am. I would have told you so myself at your lodgings, 
but that my writing confines me. I had heard a flying 
report of it before ; but-my Lord Bolingbroke yesterday 
confirmed the welcome news, to me. I could not ex- 
cuse myself without saying thus much ; and I have 
DOt time to say more, but that I' am your most affection^ 
ate and fiaiithful servant,. 

FR. ATTERBURY. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

j»nr LORD, London^ AprH 30, 1713, 

I HAD the honour of your grace's letter of the 14tb, 
which at present I cannot answer particularly : I send 
this to welcome your grace to the Bath, whei'e we con- 
clude you are now arrived ; and I hope the design of 
your journey is more for prevention than cure. L sup- 
pose your grace has heard that the queen has made Dr. 
Sterne Bishop of Dromore,. and that I am to succeed him 
in his deanery. Dr. Farnell, who is now in town, writ 
last post to your grace, to desire the favour of you that 
he may have niy small prebend :f he thinks it will be 
some advantage to come into the chapter, where it may 

* Indorsed hy Dr. Swift, " Dr. Attcrbury^ M^^ *iV> VIA^^ ■ifc«5X 
eleven ia the morolog. I believe a\\ to wo ^tvow^.^*^ "^^ 
/ Of Dtmhyla. See a Itttet toI>«Mi^\«tTO» kv«'^V\'»^^^' "^ 



979 LETTERS TO Ajm FROM 

poesibty be in my power to serve him io a way agreeable 
to him, ahhough ia no degree equal io his ments ; by 
which he iias distinguished himself so much, that he h 
iu great esteem with the ministry, and others of the most 
Taluable persons in tiiis town. He has been many years^ 
under your grace's <iirection, and has a very good title 
to your favour; so that I believe it will be unnecessary 
to add how much I should be obliged to your grace's 
compliance in this matter : and I flatter myself that his 
being agreeable to me, will be no disadvantage to him in 
your grace's opinion. 

I am, with the greatest respect, my lord, 
^ Your grace's most dutiful 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



TO LORD CHANCELLOR HARCOURT. 

MV LORD, Mai/, 1713. 

I WONDER your lordship would presume to go out of 
town, and leave me in fear that I should not see you be- 
fore I go to Ireland, which will be in a week. It is a 
strange thing you should prefer your own health, and 
ease, and convenience, before my satisfaction. I want 
your lordship for my solicitor. I want your letter to 
your younger brother of Ireland, to put him under my 
government : I want an opportunity of givingyour. lord- 
ship my humblest thanks, for a hundred favours you 
have done me : I wanted the sight of your lordship this 
day in York buildings. Pray, my lord, come to town 
before I leave it, and supply all my wants. My lord 
treasurer uses me bavbatovuAy •, ^.^t^lula to cany me to 
Kensiogtoo^ and laakes me n«;A\l ^Q>n mA^^Tixv^s^!^ 



D0G1OB SWIFT. 2TL 

He laughs when I mention a tbousand pouod which he 
gives nie; though a thousand pound is a very serioui^ 
thing, 6ic. 



TO MR. ADDISON. 

• 

SIR, Mojf 13,1713. 

I WAS told yesterday, by several persons, that Mr. 
Steele liad reflected upon me in his Guardian : M'hich I 
could hardly believe, until, sending for the paper of the 
day, I found he had, iu several parts of it, insinuated 
witli the utmost malice, that I was author of the Ex- 
aminer ;* and abused me in the grossest manner he could 
possibly invent, and set his name to what he had writ- 
ten. Now, sir, if I am not author of the Examiner,^ 
how will Mr. Steele be able to defend himself from the 
imputation of the highest degree of basenesss, ingrati- 
tude, and injustice ? Is he so ignoj*ant of my temper, 
and of my style ? lias he never heard that the author 
of the Examiner (to whom I am altogether a stranger)-) 

* In tlic Guardiun, No, LIIl. Mr. Steele says, " TUougb sometimes 
I have been told by familiar friends, that they saw me such a time 
talking to the Examiner; others who have rallied mc for the Fins of mj 
youth tell me4t is credibly reported that I haye formerly lain withihe 
Examiner, 1 have carrried my point ; and it is nothing to me wheth^ - 
the Examiner writes in tbe character of an cttranged Jriendy or ao 
exasperated rhistress.^^ — By the first of these appellations, Dr. Swift is 
to be understood ; by the latter, Mrs. Manley, authoress of the Ata- 
laotis, who frequently contributed to the writing of the Examiu- 
er. N. 

f See tlie fifth volume of tliis collection. The reader will recollect 
flie received opinion, that Dr. Swift never wrote any Examiners aftwr 
June 7, 1711. The curious may see an accurate and satisfactory ac- 
count of the Examiner, and of this circumstance parUcul^vV<j ^ vgl 
the edltioa of (he Tattler, with notes, IT^B^ voV ^.^<^»*i^a^^»'^*S^•"^ 



472 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

did, a month or twoflgo^ vudicairme from haviog any" 
concern in it ? Should not Mr. Steele have first expos- 
tulated with me as a friend ? Have I deserved this 
usage from Mr. Steele, who knows very well that my 
lord treasurer has kept him in his employment upon my 
entreaty and intercession ? My lord chancellor and my 
Lord Bolingbroke will be witnesses, how T was reproach- 
ed by my lord treasurer, upon the ill returns Mr. Steeir 
made to bis lordship's indulgence, &c« 



FROM MR. STEELE. 

SIR, M(i;y 19, 1713. 

Mr. Addison showed me your letter, wherein you^ 
mention me. They laugh at you, if they make you be- 
lieve your interposition has kept me thusr long in my 
office. If you have spoken in my behalf at any time, T 
am glad I have always treated yon with respect ; though' 
I believe you an accomplice of the Examiner. In the 
letter you are angry at, you^e I have no reason for 
being so merciful to him, but out of regard to the impu- 
tation you lie under. You do not in direct terms say 
you are not concerned with him ; but make it an aigu^ 
ment of your innocence, that the Examiner has declared - 
you have nothing to do with him. I believe I could 
prevail upon the Guardian to say there was a mbtake 
in putting my name in his paper : but the English would 
laugh at us, should we argue in so Irish a manner. I 
am heartily glad of your being made Dean of St Fat- 
rick's. 

I am, sir, 

YouT mofX <fce^\«CL\.\v>xm\A%.^tvflLnt 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 273 



TO MR. STEELE. 

I 



« # » # 



* * t I may probably know better, when 
they are disposed ***,*#**. The case 
irasthus: I did, with the utmost application, and desir- 
ing to lay all my credit upon it, desire Mr. Harley (as 
he then was called) to show you mercy. He said, 
" He would, and wholly upon my account : that he would 
appoint you a day to see him : that he would not ex- 
pect you should quit any friend or principle." Some 
days after, he told me, " He had appointed you a day, 
and you had not k^t it;" upon which he reproached 
me, as engaging for more than -I could answer ; and ad- 
vised me to more caution another time; I told him, and 
desired my lord chancellor and Lord Bolingbroke to be 
witnesses, that I would never speak for, or against you^ 
as long as I lived ; only I would add, that it was still 
my opinion, you should have mercy till you gave fur* 
ther provocations. This is the history of \^ hat you think 
fit to call, in the spirit of insulting, ^* their laughing at 
me :" and you may do it securely ; for, by the most io- 
human dealings, you have wholly put it out of my pow- 
er, as a christian, to do you tlie least ill ojf&ce. Next I 
desire to know, whether the greatest services ever done 
by one man to another, may not have the same turn as 
properly applied to them ? And, once more, suppose 
they did laugh at me, I ask whetiber my. inclinations to 

i It has unluckily happened that two or three lines have heen torn 
by accident from the beginning of this letter; and by the same acci- 
dent, two or three lines are missing towardthe latter part, which were 
written on the back part of the paper which was torn off. But what 
remains of this letter, will, I presume, be very satisfactory to the iH- 
teUigent reader. D.S. 



404 LETTERS TO ANI) ^ROM 

•erve 7011, merit to be rewarded by the vilest treatment^ 
whether tbej sucoeeded or not ? 'If ybai interpretatipi^ 
were true, I wsfs laughed at only for your sake ; which^ 
1 think, is going pretty far to serve a friend. As to' the 
letter I complain o^ I appeal to your most parliU 
friends, whether you ought not either to have asked, or 
written to me, or desired to have been informed by a 
third hand, whether I were any way concerned in writ- 
ing the Examiner ? And if I had shuffled, or answer- 
ed indirectly, or affirmed it, or said I would not give 
you satisfaction; you might then have wreaked ynur 
levenge with some colour of justice. I have several 
times assured Mr. Addison, ahd fifty others, ^^ That I 
had not the least hand in writing any of those papers; 
said that I had never exchanged one syllable with the 
inipposed author* in my life, that I can remember, nor 
«ver seen him above twice^ and' that in mixed company, 
in a place where he came to pay his attendance/' One 
thing more I must obseive to you, that a year or tiro 
sigo, when some printers itted to briag me their papers 
Id manuscript, I absolutely ibrbid them to give any hints 
igainst Mr. Addison and you, and some others ; and 
Inve frequently struck out refllectio&s upon you in par- 
tfculair, and should (I believe) have done it still, if I had 
not wholly left oflf troubling myself aboiit those kidd of 
filings. 

I {Motest I never saw any thing more liable to excep- 
tfoo, than every patt is of the letter you were pleased to 
Irrite me. Tou plead, ^ That I do not in mine to Mr. 
Addison, in direct terms, say I am not concerned with 
ihe Exanuner." And is that an excuse for the mosi 

* It 18 clear that Swift b11 along aUudesto Oldisworth as author <^£ 
ihe Examiners. Steele, on the contrary, sets out on the supposition 
that those papers were «^tikA|iK«ds^«^<Qnk oC Swift and Mrs. M?tiy 
Ay. N. 



BOCTOIt SWIFT. STS' 

arage injuries in the world a week before f How far 
rou cat! prerail with the Guardiaq, I shall qot trouble 
l^aelf to inquire; and am more concerned how you 
dll dear your own honour and conscience, than my re- 
Nitatioo. I shair hardly lose one friend by What youf 
M# » # # J i^Qow not any ***** * * laugh at me 
1^ any ****** absurdity of youi's. There are 
olecisms in morals as well as in languages ; and to which 
»f the virtues you will reconcile your conduct to\rie, is 
>ast my imagination. Be pleased to put these ^estions 
youi'self : '' If Dr. Swift be entirely innocent of what 
[accuse him, how shall I be able to make him satisfao* 
ion ? And how do I know but he may be entirely in* 
locent ? If he was laughed at only because he solicited 
br me, is that a sufficient reason for me to say the yilest 
hings of him in print, under my hand, i^ithout any pro- 
rocation ? And how do I know but he may be in the 
%ht, when he strjnn I was kept in my employmeat at liis 
nterposition ? If he never once ifeflected on me the least 
n any paper, and has hudered many others ftom doiiig 
t, how can I justify myself, for endeavouring in tnin*, 
o ruin his credit as a christian and a derg^yman ?" 
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 

f U&e the mamneript is'toni. H. fit 



278 LETTERS TO AND FBOjyi 

FROM SIR T. HAIfMER * I 

SIR, Tuesday, \ 

I KEEP only the last book,! vbich I shall, have gone 
through before night. The rest I send you, with the 
very few observations I made upon them, which yet 
were as many as I could see any occasion for ; though, 
I do assure you, I read with the same strictness and ill 
nature as in the former part I am, 

Your most humble servant, &c. 

THO. HANMER. 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MY LORD, London May 23, 1713. 

I HAD the honour of. a letter from your grace, the 
18th instant, from Chester. I was confidently told, 
about three weeks ago, that your grace was expected 
every day at the Bath ; and you will find a letter there 
as old as that, with a requisition in favour of Dr. Par- 
nell, who, by his own merit, is in the esteem of the chief 
ministers here. I am very sensible, that the loss your 
grace has suffered in the removal of Dr. Sterne will 
never be made up by me, upon a great many accounts : 
however, I shall not yield to him in respect and vene- 
ration for your grace's character and person ; and I re- 
turn you my most grateful acknowledgments for the 
offer you make me of your favour and protection. I 
think to set out for Ireland on Monday sevenniglit, to 

* Indorsed, ' Received about May, 1713.' H. 
f Of the MS. History o£ \Xi% Peace of Utrecht B. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 277 

e there before the term ends ; for so they advise me^ 
B^se the long vacation follows, in which I cannot 
ike the oaths, unless at a quarter sessions ; and I had 
etter have two chances than one. This will hinder me 
"om paying my respects to your grace at the Bath ; and 
ideed my own health would be better, I believe, if I 
ould pass a few weeks liiere : but my remedy shall be 
iding, and a sea voyage. I have been inquiring, and 
m told your grace's cause will hardly come on this ses- 
lon ; but indeed I have been so much out of order 
>r these ten days past, that I have been able to do 
lOthing. 
As to the spire to be erected on St. Patrick's steeple,* 
am apt to think it will cost more than is imagined ; 
nd I am confident that no bricks made In that part of 
relaud, will bear being exposed so much to the air : 
owever, I shall inquire among some architects here. 

I hope your grace will find a return of your health 
ci the place where you are. I humbly beg your bless- 
]g ; and remain, with great respect, my lord. 
Your grace's most dutiful, 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



* Dr. Sterne (predecessor to Dr, Swift, as Dean of St- Patrick's 
Mhedral, Dublin, afterward Bishop of Dromore, from whence he 
ras translated to the see of Clogher) left 1200^ to erect a spire on 
he top of that steeple, which was built a few years after his lord- 
hip's death. It is an octagon of many feci high, liuilt of white hard 
nountain stone, with a gilt ball at the top of it, which may be seen 
it the distance of many miles. P. 



;278 LETTEBS TO AND FROM 

FROM MIL STEBJUE^ 



} 



ftm Blocmabwry^ Majf 20, 1713. 

I HAVE received jour's, and find it is impossible for a 
raao to judge ia his owo case. For an allusion to 70a, 
as one under the imputatiou of helping the Examiner, 
and owning I was restrained out of respect to 70U, 70a 
tell Addison, under your hand, ^ joa think me the vilest 
of mankind," and bid him tell me so. I am obliged to 
70U for aoj kind thinp said in ray behalf to the trea- 
surer; and assure jou, when you were in Ireland, you 
- were the constant subject of my talk to men in power at 
that time. As to the vilest of mankind, it would be a 
glorious world if I were : for I would not conceal iny 
thoughts in favour of an injuitd man, though all the 
powers on earth gainsaid it, to be made the first man is 
the nation. This position, I know, will ever ohptruct 
my way in the world ; and I have conquered mj de* 
sires accordingly. I have resolved to content myaeV 
with what I can get by my own industry, and the im- 
provement of a small estate, without being anxiow 
whether I am ever in a coiurt again <» not I do as- 
sure you, I do not speak this calmly, after the ill usage * i 
in your letter to Addison, out of tcrnnr of your wit, 01 ^ 
my lord treasurer's power; but pure kindness to the 
agreeable qualities, I once so passionately delighted lo^ 
in you. You knowf I know nobody, but one that 
talked after you, could tell, ^ Addison had bridled me 
in point of party." This was ill hinted, both with lela^ 
tion to him, and, sir. 

Your most obedient humble servant, 

RICHARD STEELE. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 2r» 

1 know DO part^; but the truth of tlie question is what 
I mU support as well as I can, wbeu any man I Im- 
>-^::jiour is attacked. 



TO MR. STEELE. 

«tB, 110^27,1713. 

The reason I give 70U the trouble of this replj to 
jour letter, is because I am gdng in a very few dajns 
to Ireland : and although I intended to return towi^ 
winter, jet it may happen, from the cominon accidental 
of life, that I may never see you again. 

In your yesterday's letter, you are pleased to take the 
complaining side, and think it hard I should write to Mr. 
Addtison as I did, onl/ for an allusion. This allusion 
Wag only calling a clergyman of some little distinction 
an infidel ; a clergyman, who was your friend, who 
always loved you, who had endeavoured at least to 
serve you ; and who, whenever he did write any thingi: 
made it sacred to himself never to fling out the least 
bint against you. 

One thing you are pleased to fix on me, as what you 
are sure of; that the Examiner had talked after me, 
when he said, '^ Mn Addison had bridled you In point of 
party.'' I do not read one in six of those papers, nor 
ever knew he had such a passage ; and I am so igno- 
rant of this, that I cannot tell what it means : whether, 
that Mr. Addison kept you close to a party, or that he 
hindered you from writing about party. I never talked 
or writ to that author in my life; so that he could not 
l|ave learned it from me. And in shinrt, I solemnlj 
affirm, that with relation to every friend I have, I am as 
imiocent, as it is possible for a human creature to be. 



260 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

And whether you believe me or not, I thiok, with sub- 
111)88100, ydu ought to. act as if jaa Jbelicved me, till you 
have demonstration to the contrary; I have all flh^^^, 
ministry to be my witnesses, that there is hardly a man 
of wit of the adverse party, whom I have not been so 
bold as to recommend often and with earnestness to 
them : for, I think, principles at present are quite out of 
the case, and that we dispute wholly about persons. In 
these last you and I diiTer; but in the other, I think* 
we agree : for I have in print professed myself in poli- 
tics, to be what we formerly called a whig. 

As to the great man* whose defence you undertake ; 
though I do not think so well of him as you do, yet I 
have been the cause of preventing five hundred hard 
things being said against him. 

I dm sensible I have talked too much when myself is 
the subject : therefore I conclude with sincere wishes 
for your health and prospenty, and am, sir, 

Yodrs, &c. 

You cannot but remember, that in the only thing I ever • 
published with my name, I took care to celebrate 
you as much as I could, and in as handsome a man- 
ner, though it was in a letter to the present lord trea- 
surer. 



FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ,t 

Whitehall, June 2, 1713. 
I HOPE this will meet you at Chester, and that your 
passage at sea will be favoured with as mild weather as 

* Dute of MarlboTovx^Jv. D. S. 
' f Secretary to Lord B^xXmoMflck, ^"ft^ taeBJoet ^w lA^twithiel. B. 



BOCTOR SW1*T. 2131 

'your journey by land has been these two first daj^ 
The division yesterday, in the^bouse of lords, was fifty-^ 
"^nfour against fifty-four. Proxies were called- for, and we 
liad seventeen lo thirteen. This is the greatest victory 
we ever had. The Duke of Argyll and the Scotch 
were against us to a man. Lords Weymouth and Carte- 
ret were with them. It was very comical to see the tories, 
who voted with lord treasurer against the dissolution of 
the union, und^r all the perplexities in the world, lest 
they should be victorious ; and the Scotch, who voted* 
for a bill of dissolution, under agonies lest they them- 
selves should carry the point they pretended to desire. 
In all the time I have been conversant in business, 
I never before observed both sides, at the same time, 
acting parts which they thought contrary to their in- 
terests. Let us hear from you sometimes, and believe 
there is nobody with more sincerity your's, than, Szc. 



FROM THE REVEREI^D MR. SHARPE.^ 

KEVEREND SIR, Londoti, Juuc A^ 1713. 

I WAS commanded by his excellency Brigadier Hun- 
ter, governor of New- York, to deliver the enclosed 
with my own hand, had I been eo happy, for his service 
and my own satisfaction, as to have seen you at Lon- 
don. I am persuaded your influence here might have 
contributed to create a better opinion of him, among 
some leading men in the society for propagation of the 
Gospel in foreign parts, who have been much imposed 
on by the clamorous memorials of some indiscreet mis- 
sionaries abroad. He has the just esteem of two thirds of 

* Chaplaia to Brigadier Hunter, GovexiiOT cA ^^-^i-XwY, '^^ 



282 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

Ibe clergy in his government, and the greatest part of 
the laity, who have either seose^ probity, or honour ; 
but his adversaries have made the church's cause a fa- 
vourable handle for tlieir repeated complaints, which, 
with the application of their fiiends here, makes them 
hopeful of success. 

I have been twelve years abroad, in the service oi 
the church in America : the last ten were in the station 
of chaplain to her majesty's forces at New-Tork, where 
I had the oppoi'tunity of being very near to the several 
governors ; and do assure you, that if I had ever ob- 
serve in him any inclination to weaken the interest of 
the church there, I could fiot in conscience offer to ex- 
cuse him ; but lie is better known to you, than that I, 
who am altogether unknown, should presume to give his 
character. 

What I beg leave to entreat of you is, to recommend 
nic in my endeavours for his service, to the advice and 
absistaiice of your friends* The perplexity of all his 
affairs at this time claims the good offices of all that 
wish him well. If, in favour to his excellency, you are 
pleased to honour me with the pardon of this, and what 
return the enclosed may require, direct for me to the 
care of Mr. James Douglas, meichant, in Fencouit, 
Fenchurch street, Londou. I beg leave to subscribe 
myself, with great respect, reverend sir, your most ob^ 
dient and most humble servant, 

JOHN SHARPE. 



JftOCTOR SWIFT. 283 



TO MISS VANHOMRIGH* 

Laracor^ JtdyS, 1713. 
I STATED but a fortnight io Dublin, verj sick ; and 
returned not one visit of a hundred, that were made me ; 
but all to the dean, and none to the doctor. I am riding 
here for life,* and I think I am something better. I 
hate the thoughts of Dublin, and prefer a field bed, and 
an earthen floor, before the great house there, which 
they say is mine. I had your last splenetic letter. I 
told you, when I left England, I would endeavour to 
forget every thing there, and would write as seldom as 
I could. I did indeed design one genera] round of let- 
ters to my friends ; but my health has not yet suffered 
me. I design to pass the greatest part of the time I 
stay in Ireland, here, in the cabin where I am now 
sWriting : neither will I leave the kingdom till I am sent 
for ; and if they have no farther service for me, I will 
never see England again. At my first coming, I tliought 
I should have died with discontent ; and was hoiTibly 
melancholy, while they were installing me, but it begins 
to \rear off, and change to dulness. My river walk is 
extremely pretty, and my canal in great beauty ; and I 
see trouts playing in it. . I know not any one thing now 
in Dublin. But Mr. Ford is very kind, and writes to 
me constantly what passes among you. I find you ar^ 
lilTewise a good politician ; and I will say so much to 
you, that I veiily think, if the thing you know of had 

* This is the lady whom the Dean has celebrated by the name o^ 
yaQo«sa. She was the eldest daughter of Bartholomew Vanhomrigh, 
first a tierchant of Amsterdam, and afterward of Dublin, who was ap- 
pointed commissary of the stores by King William, upon his expedi- 
tion into Ireland. Her mother was the daughter of Mr. Stone^ the 
commissioner, and niece to the accomptant-^enss^Y q^ \\«\^\A. ^« 



2B4 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

been published just upon the peace, the ministry n)i|s;hi 
have avoided what has since happened : but I am now 
fitter to look after willows, and to cut hedges, than med- 
dle with alTairs of state. I must order one of the work- 
men to drive those cows out of my island, and make up 
the ditch again ; a work much more proper for a coun-> 
try vicar, than driving out factions, and fencing against 
them. I must go and take my bitter draught to cure 
my head, which is spoiled by the bitter draughts which 
the public has given me. So go to your dukes and 
duchesses, atid leave me to goodroan Bumford, and Pa* 
trick Dolan, of Glanduggan. Adieu. 



FROM Elf ASM US LEWIS, ESQ.* 

Whitehall, Jtdy 9, 1713. 
We are all running headlong into the greatest confii- 
sion imaginable. Sir Thomas Hanmerf is gone into the 
country this morning, I believe much discontented ;^ikI 
I am very apprehensive, neither Lord Angleseaj: nor 
he will continue long with us. I heartily wish you 
were here ; for you might certainly be of great use to 
usTljy your endeavours to reconcile, and by represent- 
hig to them the infallible consequences of these divisioiis.. 
We had letters this morning from Ireland. What is the 
reason I had none from* you? Adieu. I hope your 
Ivant of health is not the cause. 

*• Indorsed, " Mr. Lewis, about the divisions," &,c. 
+ Speaker of the bouse of commons. B. 

X ArtbiH', who was joint vice treasurer of Ireland with fedwapdf 
iTarl of Clarendon. B. 



DOCTOR SWIJFT. 28^ 

* 

TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

« 

HY LORD, TniM, Jnhf 1 6, 1 7 1 3. 

I HAVE been about five weeks io^this kingdom, but so 
extreme) J ill with the return of an old disorder in my 
head, that I was not able to write to your grace. I 
have been the greatest part of that time at my country 
parish, riding every day for my health. I can tell your 
grace nothing from Dublin, having spent the days I was 
there between business and physic, and paid no visits, 
nor received any but one day ; and I reckon it no great 
loss, for I hear they are all party mad ; and it is one 
felicity of being among willows, that one is not u*oubled 
with faction. I hope you have as little of it at the 
Bath ; for I cannot fancy it does well with the waters^ 
If your grace goes to London from the Bath, I believe 
I may have the honour of waiting oi^ you ; although I 
Aall do all in my power to save the trouble of such a 
journey, which neither my fortune nor my health will 
very well bear. I hope you feel the good effects of the 
place you are in; and I pray God continue your life, 
for the good of his church. 

The other day, Mr. Thacker, prebendary of Sagard 
\and vicar of Rathcool, died ; and it would be a great 
mark of goodness in your grace, as well as a personal 
favour to me, if you would please to dispose of his liv- 
ings in favour of Mr. Thomas Warburton, who has beeii^ 
many years my assistant in the cure of Laracor, has be- 
haved himself altogether unblamably, and is a gentlemaa 
of very good learning and sense. If I knew any one 
more deserving, I would not recommend him ; neither 
would I do it however, because I know your grace has 
a great many dependants, but that it will be a great use 
to me to have a vicar in od£ oi ukj x^V»&^ ^sA>\\Ri^ 



286 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

my deanery, in irhom I can confide. I am told the Ht- 
lugs amount to a hundred and twenty pounds a year at 
most; and it may probably happen in my way to be 
able to oblige some friend of your's in a greater matter, 
'vrliich I shall very readily do. 

I am, with the greatest respect, my lord. 
Your grace's mo§t obedient 

and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. - 



FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ,.* 

WhUehaU, July 30, 1713. 

This day se'nnight the queen goes to Hampton Court, 
and the Monday followhig to Windsor. I fency by tbst 
time Mr. Bromleyf will be secretary of state, in the rooifa 
of my lord4 Lord treasurer was abroad this evening, 
for the first time after a fortnight's illness. I hear there 
came a dozen of letters from you by the same post to 
your friends here. My lord treasurer desires you^H 
make all possible haste over; for we want you ex- 
tremely. 

* Indorsed, '^ Mr. Lewis, pressing me to come over.** N. 

f William Bromley, Esq. appointed secretary of state, August 17, 
1713, in the room of William, £arl of Dartmouth, made lord privj 
soaL B. 

X Paf tmeuth, to whom Mr. Lewis had been secretary^ 9. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 287 



TO BISHOP ATTERBURY. 

The Country in Ireland, 
JAY LORD, Jug. 3, 1713. 

It is with the gi'eatest pleasure I heard of your lord- 
ship's promotion, I mean that particular promotion which 
I beKeve is agreeable to you,* though it does not mend 
your fortune. There is but one other change I could 
wish you, because 1 have heard you prefer it before all 
the rest; and that likewise is noW ready ,f unless it be 
thought too soon, and that you are made to wait till an- 
other person has used it for a step to cross the water.;}: 
Though I am here in a way of sinking into utter obli- 
vioD: for 
^* Hce laiehra nee dulcc.% ncc, id ntihi credis, canomce :^' 
yet I shall challenge the continuance of your lordship's 
favour: and whenever I come to London, shall with 
great assurance cross the park to your lordship's house 
at Westminster, as if it were no more than crossing the 
street, at Chelsea. I talked at this threatening rate so 
often to you about two years past, that you are not now 
to forget itk 



• The deanery of Westminster. N. 

f The bishopric of London was then vacant, by tUe deatb of Dr. 
Compton, who died July 4, 17J3. N. 

X To Lambeth. It is more than insinuated by Dr. Maty, that At- 
terbary*8 ambition extended to York or Canterbury. Yet those who 
were better acquainted with his views, knew that Winchester would 
have been much more desirable to him than any of the others. And 
there are persons still living, who have been told, from respectable 
authority, that that bishopric was offered to him whenever it should 
become vacant (and, till that event should happen, a pension of ^0002. 
a year, beside an ample provision for Mr. Morice) if he would cease 
to give the opposition he did to Sir Robert Walpdle^s administration, 
by his speeches and protests in the house of lordf«. Wiien that ofSsr 
was rejected by the bishop, then the contrivance for his ruin was d^ 
termined en. N. ^ 



;28B I-ETTER5 TO ANDr FROM 

Pray, my lord, do Dot let your being made a b]jsfiop> 
Ijinder yoa from cultivating the politer studies, ii'hich 
your heart was set upon when you went to govern 
Christ Church. Providence has made you successor ta 
a person, who, though of a much inferior genius,"^ turned 
all his thoughts that way; and, I have been told, with 
.great success, by bis countenance to those who deserved. 
I envy Dr. Freindf that he has you for his inspector; 
and J envy you for having such a person in your dia- 
irict, and whom you love so well. Shall not I have 
liberty to be sometimes a third among you, though I am 
an Irish deau ? 

*' Vervecum in patridy crassoqm sub aere natus.^^X 
A very disordered head hindered me from writing^ 
*farly to your lordship, M'hcn I first heard of your pre- 
ferment ; and 1 have reproached myself of ingratitude^ 
v.'iieu I remembered your kindness in sending me a let- 
ter upon tlie deanery they thou^t fitto thi*ow m^ intof 
to which I am yet a straftger, being forced into the 
country, in one of my old parishes.^ to ride about for a 
iutle health. I hope to have the honour of asking youf 
lordship^s blessing seme time in October. Jo the mean 
while, I desire your lordship to believe me to be, with 

* The works of Bishop Sprat, besides his few poems, are, " The 
History of the Royal Society ;" »« Thie Life of Cowley;" " The Aih 
swer toSorbiere;" " The History of the Ryehousc Plot;" *» The Re- 
lation of his own Examination;" and a rohime of ** Sermons." Dr. 
Johnson says, *' I have heard it observed with great justness, * that 
every book is of a difl^rent kind, and that each has its distinct and 
characteristical excellence.' In his poems, he considered Cowley as 
a model ; and supposed that, as he was imitated, perfection was ap- 
proached.*' N. 

f Dr. Freind, then head master of Westminster school. N. 

\ " land of bogs 

" With ditches fenc'd, a Heaven fat with fogs." 

Juvenal, Sat. X. 75. 
b tiaracor anti BLaLtiibe6%\n. 1^,. 



DOCTOR SWIFC. 2S§ 

Teiy great respect and truth, niy lord, your lordship's 
tnost dutiful and most humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 



FROM MR. PRIOR. 

Paris, Aug. 5-16, 17ia 
As I did not expect, my good friend Jonathan, ta 
have received a letter from you at Dublin, so I am sure 
I did not intend to write one thither to you; but Mr. 
Rosingrave thinks it may do him a service, in recom* 
mending him to you. If so, I am very glad of it ; for it 
can be of no other use imaginable. I have writ letters 
now above twenty-two years. I have taken towns, de- 
stroyed fleets^ made treaties, and settled commerce in 
letters. Anil "b hat of all this ? Why, nothing ; but that 
I have had some subject to write upon. But to write a 
letter only because Mr. Rosingrave has a mind to carry 
one in his pocket, to tell you, that you are sure of a 
friendship, which can never do you three pence of good, 
and wish you well in £ngland very soon, when I do 
»ioi know when I am likely to be there myself; all this^ 
I say, is very absurd for a letter ; especially when I have 
this day written a doa^n much more to the purpose. If 
I had seen your manuscript;* if I had received Dr. Par- 
nell's poem ; if I had any news of Landen being taken ^ 
why well and good : but as I know do more than the 
Duke of Shrewsbury desigus for England within three 
weeks ; that I must stay here till somebody else corneal 
and then — brings me necessarily to say, good Mr. Dea% 



• Of the Hif tory of the Peace of Utreckt B^ 



290 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

that I am like the fellow io the Rehearsal, that did not 
know if he was to be merry or serious^ or In what waj 
or mood to act his part. Ooe thing only I am assured 
o( that I love you very well ; and am, most dncerely and 
faithfully, dear air, your servaat and brother,'"' 

M. PRIOR. 

Lord and Lady Shrewsbury give their service to you. 

Tanhomrigh has run terribly here in debt, and, being 

in durance, has sent to his mother upon pecuniary con- 

cems. Adieu once more. 
What we are doing, or what is to become of us, I know 

not. 

** Prodens futari temporu •xitum 
" CaIij(io(M& oocte premitDeus, 
" Ridetque '» 

This is all the Latin and writing I can at present spare 
you. 

Pray give my service to your Chancellor,! and be much 
acquainted with Judge Nutley, «nd love him very 
well for mj sake. Adieu. Once more, find out my 
cousin Penny fether and Nutley (if he is not too grave 
for you ;) and according to the laudable custom of 
your country, drink this Louis out, for a token of my 
g^aeroaij and your sobriety. And now I think, I 
have fiuroished out a very pretty letter. 

* He was one of the sizteeD. H. 
f Sir Copitutine Fhippi. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 291 



FROM MR. LEWIS.* 



WkitehaU, Aug. 6, nU. 
I HAVE 80 often, and in so pressing a manner, desired 
you to come cover, 4hat, if what I have already said ha^ 
no effect, I shall despair of better success by any farther 
arguments. If I were to recapitulate the several rea^ 
sons you offer- to the contrary, and answer them separate* 
ly, I should grow peevish ; which I have no way to 
avoid, but by telling you in general, it is all wrong. 
Tou and I have already laid it down for a maxim, that 
we must serve lord treasurer, without receiving oixiers or 
particular instructions ; and I do not yet see a reason for 
changing that rule. His mind has been communicated 
more freely to you than ai^ other ff but you will not 
understand it. The desires of great men are commands ; 
at least the only ones, I hope, they ever will be able to 
use. You have a mind to stay in Ireland till October, 
and desire me to give my opinion whether you should 
come sooner ? I answer, yes. Then you bid me con- 
sider again ; that is, you would have me say I am of 
opinion you should stay till October. When judges 
would have a jury change their verdict, they bid them 
consider again : when a man is determined to marry a 
woman, and his friend advises him against it, he asks his 
opinion again ; and if his friend is so silly as not to alter 
his advice, he marries without it. I am as much in the 
spleen now I am answering your letter, as you were 
when you writ it. Come over: you will cure yourself 
and me too. Adieu. 

* Indorsed, ** Mr. LeWip, pre9!>iiig mc to come over'* N. 
f By this it appears, that Lord Orrerj was jnistakeo whea he«ud 
that SicUl was tm^loytd^ not trusltd, H. 



292 LETTERS TO AND FROM 



# 



FROM DR. SMALRIDGE. 



BiR. DEAN, Christ Church, Sept, 27, 1 7]3v 

Whsn jou was so kiud as to favour the master of the 
Teniplef aod me with your company at the chaplaia's 
tabl% at KeDsiDgtoo, there diiied with us oue Mr. Fidde84 
a well deserving clerg^'man, whose circumstaDces, we 
told you, were not at all suitable to his merits. You ex^ 
preased on that occasion so generous a concern for him, 
and so great a readiness to do him. any good ofl&ces, which: 
might lie in your way, that he seems to think he should 
be wanting to himself if he did not endeavour to culti- 
vate an interest with one so willing and so able to serve 
him. He has therefore made repeated instances to me^ 
that I would remind you of him, which I should not have 
hearkened to, were I not well assured,, that you would 
excuse, if not thank me, for furnishing you with an op- 
portunity of doing a generous and good natured tiling. 
You will not, I foncy, think a formal application to any 
great man in his behalf either proper or nequisite ; but 
if you should^ upon the perusal of one or two of his ser- 
mons, think as well of them as I do, and should in coo- 
▼ersation with my lord treasurer express a good opiuioa 
of the author, one kind woiri. from you, seasonably drop- 
ped, might determine his fortune, and give you the satis- 
faction of having made him and his family as happy a& 
they can wish to b& 

I am, sir, 

your most humble servant, 

GEO. SMALRIDGE. 

** Afterward Bishop of Bristol. B. 
f Dr. Sheriock, afterward Bishop of London . B 
t Richard Fiddes, afterward T). "D. ^\A\m« <jt " A? Bodj^ of Bivf fir 
tyy'' ♦' The Life of Cardinal VroV%7,^'«w. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 2^ 



TO ARCHDEACON WALLS. 

Wmdsar Castle, Oct. 1, 1713. 

I HAi> just now a letter from 70a, \vhereia 70U ineii>- 
tion the design of makinf; me prolocutor.* I will cou^ 
fess to jou, there are two reasons why I should comply 
with it ; one is, that I am heartily weafy of courts, and 
ministers, and politics, for several reasons impossible tc^ 
tell you ; and I have a mind to be at home, since the 
queen has been pleased that Ireland should be my 
home : the other reason is, that I think somebody edu- 
cated in Dublin college should be prolocutor; and I 
bear there are designs of turning it another way. But» 
if you find it will not do, I hope you will quit the de» 
sign in proper season. I condole with you for the Iqss 
of yourf companions this winter ; and I was always of 
opinion they should be in town, unless they find their 
health better at Trim. 

I am a little disappointed in ParvisoUsI return. I 
hoped it would have amounted to near five hundred 
pounds in the; tithes ; I doubt not the cause, and beg 
you wHl hare no sort of tenderness for him, farther thao 
it regards my interest ; as to the land rents, they are 
one bundk^d and seventy-four pounds a year in the 
conntry, besides some small things in town ; and I am 
in no pain about them, because they aie sure ; nor do- T 
desire him to concern himself ai)out them. 

I hoped, and was told, my license would be under six 
pounds, though all was paid, and I heard, if lord chai>- 
cellorS had taken his fees, it would have been eigbl 

* See a letter to Archbishop King, dated Oct 21^ Vf(& JS, 

f Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Dingley. F. 

X The dean's agent. F. 

i Sir Cofi5taiitine Fhlpc* 9k 



294 LETTERS TO AND FROIff 

pounds. Tell Mr. Fetherston, I have Bpoken to Baioa 
Scroup about his afllair, who promises to despatch it with 
the first opportunity. I am now with some miDisten 
and lords, and other company, and withdrawn to a tabl^ 
and hardly know what I write, they are so loud. My 
humble service to your Dorothy, and Alderman Stoyte,* 
bis wife, and Cellarius ; and duty to the Bishop of 
Dromore. 

Your'Si J. S, 



FROM LORD CHANCELLOR PHIPPS. 

SIB, Dublin, Oct. 10, 1713. 

I. HAD the favour of your kind letter of the twenty- 
second of September, and had soon acknowledged it, if 
I had not been prevented by the- constant hurry we 
have been in, with relation to the city and parliament 
affairs. 

I heartily congratulate your safe arrival in LondoD^ 
and return you, with all the gratitude imaginable, my 
thanks for the great trouble you have given yourself as 
veil on behalf of my son in particular, as of this king- 
dom in general : and I am sorry you should yeuture so 
far as to bum your fingers : but you know such misfor- 
tunes often happen to gentlemen, who have a hearer 
zeal for the interest of their friends. But this comfort 
attends then, that the burning goes off soon ; whereas 
the credit and honour of serving one's friend last al- 
ways. The account you sent me of Mr. Worseley's 
being an envoy was new, and had not reached us before 
your letter came. I ktiow not how sufficiently toac- 

* An alderaaa of Dub\\&) ^tliex^vc^\oi4«».Tv« F. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 295 

knowledge the obligations you have laid on mc ; but 
assure you, if you have any commands on this side the 
water, there is no one will be. more proud of being 
honoured with them, than he, who is, with very great 
respect. 

Your most obedient humble servant, 

CONa PHIPPSr 



TO ARCHDEACON WALLS. 

London, Oct 13, 1713. 

I HAVE two letters of your's to acknowledge — No, I 
mistake, it is but one, for I answered the former of Sep- 
tember twenty-second, some time ago ; your other is ci 
the first instant, with an account of your mayor squab- 
ble,^ . which we regard as much here as if you sent us 
an account of your little son playing at cherry stones. 
I told your lord chancellor, that the best thing the go- 
vernment there could do, would be never to trouble us 
with your alTaii-s, but do the best you can, for we will 
neither support nor regard you. I have received the 
lords justices' representation, just now sent to the queen. 
I have said more upon it than any body else would ; 
and I hope my ](Hrd lieuteoantf will put a good end to 
the dispute. I am heartily sorry for poor Hawley : 
and doubt such a shake at his age will not be well re- 
covered. Of your four candidates to succeed him, t 
dislike all but the first, which is Bolton. As to the 
chair of prolocutor, I said to you in my former all I 
thought necessary. I dislike the thing for myself ; but 
I would keep a wrong man out, and would be glad of 

* Concerning Sir Samuel Cooke. F. 
t Doke of Shreirsbury. F. 



2M LETTERS TO AND IfROM 

an honest excuse to leave dhuris aod public thoughts ; 
but it \TOuki vex me to be proposed and not succeed. 

As for Williams, I am an old courtier, aod will think 
of it ; but, if we want a singer, and I can get a better, 
that better one shall be preferred, although my father 
were competitor. 

I have spoken to Baron Scroup about Mr. Fether- 
Bton 8 aflfair, and hope to get him a good account of it. 

Tou very artificially bring in your frienc^ Mrs. 
South : I have spoke to her, and heard from her ; and 
spoke to the Duke of Otmond : I will do her what ser- 
vice I can. 

My service to gossip Doll, and God bless my god- 
daughter. 

I think you need not inquire about the land rents of 
the deanery, they are secure enough ; and I believe I 
shall not trouble Mr. Parvisol about them. 

There is one farm set for one hundred and twenty 
pounds a year, another for fifty-four pounds. Rents ad« 
joining to the deanery, about two pounds ten shillings, 
and duties about eight pounds, or something under ; and 
a small lease of tithes, about four or five pounds : which 
last I would be glad you would ask Parvisol whether 
it be included among the tithes he has set You see 
all the rents together are under two hundred pounds. 
I forgot five pounds a year for the vefger's house; 
Service to Stoyte and Manley,*" and duty to Bishop (€ 
Dromore.t 



♦ Fsaac Manley, Esq. deputy po^-Aaster-general cff freland; -F. 
f Dt. Joho Siemfli Ste p. 277. N: 



OOCTOR SWIFT, 29t 



TO THE SAME. 

SIR, . London^ Oct, 20, 1713; 

I WRIT to yen immediatelj up«D receiving your 
former, as I do now upon your last of the tenth instant. 
As to the business of being prolocutor,^ I will tell yoii 
the short of my story. Although I have done more 
service to Ireland, and particularly to the church, than 
any man of my level, I have never been able to get a 
good word ; and I incurred the displeasure of the bi- 
shops, by being the instrument, sine qua non, of pro* 
curing the first-fruits : neither had I credit to be a cou« 
vocation man in the meanest diocese of the ^kingdom, 
till poor Dean Syn^e, who happened to think weH of 
me, got me to be chosen for St Patrick's; «o that I 
think there will be a great change if I am chosen pro^i 
loeutor. And yet, at the same time, I am so very nice, 
that I will not think of moving toward Irelaad, till I 
am actually chosen : you will say, *' What then must 
the clergy do for a prolocutor f " W^hy, I suppose they 
may appoitit a vice prolocutor, until my comiag over, 
which may be in ten days. But this perhaps is not fea- 
sible : if not, you may be sure I shall not sa opecdy de- " 
clare my ambitiou to that post, wlien I am not sure to 
carry it; and if I fail, the combrt of micum certfum 
feretur^ will not perhaps fall to my share. But I go a« 
too fast ; for I find in your next lines, that the archbi- 
shop says there will be an indi^nsable necessity that I 
should be there at the election. Why, if the bishops 
will all fix it, so as to give a man time to come over, 
with all my heart ; but, if it must foe struggled for at 
the election, I will have nothing to do with it. As for 

* The convocation did notlBftet\^x\w^a.U'i'^^^3a>^^l^v.'W^''^ ^ 



2W LETTERS TO AND FROM 

the bishops, I have not the least interest ^rith above 
three ia the kiogdom : and unless the tiiought strikes 
the clergy in general, that I must be their man, nothing 
can come of it : we always settle a speaker here, as soon 
as the writs are issued out for a parliament ; if you did 
80 for a prolocutor, a man might have warning in time ; 
but I should make the foolishest figure in nature, to 
come over hawking for an employment I no wise seek 
or desire, and then fail of it. Pray communicate the 
sense of what I say to the archbishop, to whom I will 
write by this post. As to my private affairs, I am sure 
they are in good hands ; but I beg you will not have the 
least regard or tenderness to Parvisol, farther than you 
shall find he deserves. I am my gossip's very humbk 
servant ; and the like to Mr. Stoyte, lus lady, and Ca- 
tharine, and Mr. Manley, and his lady and daughter. 
•I am, 

Your obedient humble servant, 

J. SWIFT. 

^ 
I wrote lately to Dr. Synge ; twice in all. 

I think you should force the St Mary ladies'*^ to 
town, toward Christmas. 

My duty to the Bishop of Dromore. 

Dr. Synge wrote me word a mouth ago, that Rosin- 
grave, our organist, was at the point of death. Is he 
dead or alive ? 

* Mrs. Johnson and Mrf. Pingley. P. 






DOCTOR SWIFT. 299 



TO ARCHBISHOP KING. 

MY LORD, London, Oct. 20, 1713. 

The opportunity I had of a ship was so sudden, that 
I had not time to receive your grace's last commandsy 
or pay my respects, which it was my duty and inclina- 
tion to do ,* and as for writing, I have always told your 
grace that I could not set about it with a good con- 
science, until I were provided with matter enough for 
your trouble of reading. We are outwardly prietty 
quiet during this intei-val of parliament ; but I will not 
answer what seeds are sowing to make the next spring 
produce bitter fruit. There are several reasons, impos- 
sible for me to tell at this distance, why I shall not be 
so good a correspondent as I have formerly been, but 
may probably serve to entertain you a year or two 
hence : for the fashion of this world passes away ; and 
there is nothing of so little consequence as the greatest 
court secrets, when once the scene is changed. I said 
to somebody, when I was last in Ireland, who talked to 
me of the advautage and felicity I had in the familiarity 
of great ministers, that it was well enough while it con- 
tinued a vanity ; but as soon as it ceased to be a va- 
nity, it began to be a vexation of spirit. I have some 
thought of passing this winter at the Bath, because my 
health requires it, and because I shall then be a pretty 
equal distance from the factions on both sides the water ; 
for it is not impossible your grace may have a warm 
winter. 

I have had some letters, particularly from Dr. Synge 
and Mr. Archdeacon Walls, about my being prolocutor. 
I have this post writ ray thoughts upon that subject to 
Mr. Walls ; and to save you the trouble, have degired 
him to coramuoicate them to your grace. Our elcctiooa 



300 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

for the city still continue : T was this afternoon at Guild: 
hall. I find three of the old members ; and Withers, 
who is the lowest, tells me, he does not despair of carry- 
ing it for himself. There is abundance of artifice (to 
give it the softest word; used on both sides.* ^ 

I came yesterday from Windsor, where I saw the 
queen in very good health, which she finds there more 
than any where else, and I believe will hardly remove 
until December. I believe my lord lieutenantf will be 
landed before this letter comes to your hands : he is the 
finest gentleman we have, and of an excellent under- 
standing and capacity for business : if I were with your 
grace, I would say more ; but leave it to your owo 
sagacity. 

I will only venture to say one thing relating to Ire- 
land, because I believe it will be of use that your grace 
should know it. If your house of commons should run 
into any violence disagreeable to us here, it will be of 
the worst consequences imaginable to that kingdom : for^ 
I know DO maxim more strongly maintained at present 
io our court, than that her majesty ought to exert hev 
power to the utmost, upon any uneasiness given on yoiur 
side to herself or her servants : neither can I answer, 
that even the legislative power here may not take cog« 
nizance of any thing that may pass among you, io oppn- 

* The election termiaatedr ia favour of Sir Richard Hoare, Sir 
William Withers, Sir John Cass, and Sir George Newland. The 
losing candidates were, John Ward, Thomas Scawen, Robert Hey- 
•ham, and Peter Godfrey, Esqcs- Some curious particulars relativA 
to this election may be seen in the Political State, for November, 
1713, p. 287. N. 

* Charles Talbot, Doke of Shrewsbury. It was remarked as ex-^ 

*dHiary, that the duke's principal domestics were whigs ; parti* 
V ^ his secretary, Sir John Stanley; his Chaplain, Dr. Timothy 
O 1 (advanced to the Bishopric of Kilmore in 1714, and te> 

0!bK 17270 and some etJitn. T^* 



BOCTOR SWIFT. 301 

Bition to the persons and principles that ate now favour- 
ed by the queen. Perhaps I am gone too far; and 
therefore shall end, without any ceremony. 

Your grace's, &c. 

Direct to me under cover to Erasmus Lewis, Esq. itt 
Mr. Secretary Bromley's office at Whitehall^ 



FROM LORD CHANCELLOR PHIPPS. 

DEJLR si^, Dublin^ Oct. 24, 1713. 

I AM indebted to you for your kind letters of the 
eighth and tenth instant, and I very heai-tily acknow- 
ledge the obligation. That of the eighth gave me a 
great many melancholy thoughts, when I reflected upoQ 
the danger dur constitution is in, by the neglect and 
^upineness of our friends, and the vigilance and una- 
nimity of our enemies: but I hope your parliament 
proving so good will awaken our friends, and unite them 
more firmly, and make them more active. 

That part of your letter of tlie tenth, which related 
to my son, gave me great satisfaction ; for though the 
commissioners here have heard nothing of it, yet I be- 
lieved Mr. Keightley might bring over full instructions 
in it : but he is arrived, and knows nothing of it ; M 
that whatever good intentions my lord treasurer had in 
relation to my son, his lordship has forgotten to give any 
directions concerning him; for, with him, things are 
just as they were when you left Dublin. If you will 
l»e so kind to put his lordship in mind of it, you will be 
very obliging. 

I cannot discharge the part of a friend, if I omit to 



802 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

let joa koow that jornr gnzi neighboiir* at St PqI- 
cber's is very angrj with 70U. He accuses 70U for go- 
ing awaj wiihoat taking your leave of him, and inteods 
In a little time to compel you to reside at your deanery; 
He lays some other things to your charge, which you 
shall know in a little time. 

We hourly expect my lord HeutenanLf The whigi 
begin to be sensible they must expect no great counte- 
nance from him, and begin to be a little down in the 
mouth, since they find Broderick b not to be their 
speaker.} I an^ with very great truth, your most obe- 
dient humble servant 



FROM DR. DAVENANT.5 

SIB, Windsor^ N&9. 3, 1713. 

You have the character of employing in good offices 
to others, the houour and happiness you have of being 
often with my lord treasurer. This use of your access 
to him is an uncommon instance of generosity, deserving 
the higliest praises ; for, most commonly, men are most 
apt to convert snch advantages to their own single inte- 
rest, without any regard of others ; though, in my poor 
opinion, not so wisely. Acts of friendship create friend^ 
even among strangers, that taste not of them ; and in my 
experience, I hardly ever knew a man friendly in the 
course of his proceedings, but he was supported in the. 

* The archbishop of Dublin. N. 
t Duke of Shrewsbury. B. 

\ He was, however, chosen speaker by a majority of four Toices. B* 
I Charles Davenant, LL. D. iuspector general of imports aod ex- 
erts. He died Nor. 6, 1714. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. 303 

worlil ; ingratitude being the vice, of which the genera- 
lity of men are most ashamed to be thought guilty. 

My son* and I have reasons to return you our thanks^ 
for what you have already done of this kind in his fa- 
vour, and we beg the continuance of it. Ministers of 
atate have such multiplicity of business, that it is no 
wonder, if they forget low individuals ; and in such a 
case, private persons must be beholden to some good aa- 
tured man, to put those in power in mind of them : other- 
wise tliey may be forgotten, till old age overtakes them. 
Such well disposed remembrancers deserve access, fami- 
liarity, and interest with great men ; and pei-liaps, they 
^re the most useful servants they can countenance in 
their hours of leisure. 

I need not tell you, that in point of time, he is above 
all pretenders to foreign business ; that his affairs have 
now depended almost three years ; that in the interim, 
it has gone very hard with him ; and that he gave a very 
€arly instance of his zeal to the present administration. 
But what he builds his hopes most upon, is the promise 
my lord treasurer was pleased to make to the Duke of 
Shrewsbury, just as his grace left Windsor, that a pro- 
vision should be made for Mr. Dayenant. We must 
entreat you to find some lucky moment of representing 
to my lord, that the young man is pressed by a nearer 
concern than that of making his fortune, and that lovers 
can hardly be persuaded to be as patient as other men. 
The duke has carried his mistress from him, and will 
not consent to make him happy, till he sees him in some 
way of being settled : in which how aniious any delay 
must be (possession depending upon it) he leaves you to 

*- Henry Daveoant, Esq. had been employed at Frankfort, from 
1705, to 1707, or longer ; but his father attempted in Yain to get bin 
fo Florence. In 1718 he was resident at Genoa. N. 



304 LETTERS TO AND FROM 

judge, who have so well studied maDkind, and whokm^v, 
that love is a passion, iu ooe of bis age, much strooger 
than ambition. I beg jour pardon for this long trouble^ 
And am, sir, 

Yoiur most humble and most obedient senrant, 

CHARLES DAVENANT- 



^Sxtractjranithe MS. Diary cf Bishop Kekkett, m ihx 
UUbrary of the Marquis ^^Lansdown. 

'' 1713. Dr. Swift came into the coQeehouse, and 
had a bow from every body but ipe. Wheu I came to 
the antichamber to wait before prayers. Dr. Swift was 
the principal man of talk and business, and acted as a 
master of requests. He was soliciting the Eai-1 of Arran 
to speak to his brother the Duke of Ormond, to get a 
chaplain's place established in tlie garrison of Hull for 
Mr. Fiddes,' a clergyman in that neighbourhood, who 
had lately been in jail, and published sermons to pay 
feqs. He was promising Mr. Thorold to undertake 
with my lovd treasurer, that, according to his petition, 
he should obtain a salary of 200Z. per annum, as minis- 
ter of the English church at Rotterdam. He stopped 
F. Gwynne, Esq. going in with his ted bag to the queeo, 
and told him aloud he had something to say to him from 
my lord treasurer. He talked with the son of Dr. Da- 
venant to be sent abroad> and took out his pocket bode 
and wrote down several things, as mefncranda, to do fur 
him. He turned to the fire, and took out his gold watch, 
and, telling him the time of the day, complained it was 
T ry late. A gentleman said, * he was too fast.' * How 
can I help it,' says Ihe doctor, ' if tbe courtiers give roe a 
.If atch that wotf t g>o xi^lT TYtfixiV^H^'^v^NSJtod a young 



?. ^.i 




DOCTOR SWIFT. 305 

ttobleman, that the best poet m England was Mr. Pope, 
(ft papkit)) who had begun a translation of Homer into 
ji^^rse, for which ' he must have them all sub- 
ir,' says he, ' the author shaU noi begin to 
print tiff I have a thousand guineas for him.' Lord trea- 
surer, after leaving the queen, came through the room^ 
beckoning Dr. Swift to follow him : both went off just 
before prayers. 

^ Nov. 3. — ^I see and hear a great deal to confirm a 
doubt, that the pretender's interest is much at the bottom 
of some hearts : a whisper that Mr. Nelson had a prime 
hand in the late book for hereditary right; and that one 
^ttem was presented to majesty itself, whom God pre- 
|^iN^^;>fr(mi the effect of such principles and i»uch in* 









FHOM the duchess of ORMOND: 

■ i.< . ■ 

v^ifecTOR, Nov. 3, 1 71 3, eleven at mght. 

•r;^ i HOPE your servant has told you, I sent to beg the 
.'.^^our of you to come hither to night; but since you 
' ^j^uid not conveniently, I hope you will not deny me the 
• J^'tisfaction of seeing you to-morrow morning. My lord 
^ -^wins with me in that request, and will see no company 
/Ibiit you. I hope you will come before ten o'clock, be- 
cause he is to go at that hour to Windsor. I beg your- 
■ pardon for sending so early as I have ordered them ear- 
ly this; but the fear of your beibg gone abroad, ifthejr 
went later, occasioned that troublegiveu youbyjsir,. 
Your most sincere. 

and most. faithful humble servant,^ 

H. ORMOND) 



SM L£TT£11S TO AND FROM 



TO LORD TREASURER OXFORD, 

•M THB DEATH OF HIS DAXTaHTEB, THE MARCHIOKl 

OF CAEBHABTHEN.*' 



LOUD, Nov. 21, 1718. 

Tour lordship h the person in the world to wh( 

every body ought to be silent upon such an occaston 

this, which is only to be supported by the greatest iv 

dom and strength of mind ; wherein, God knows, t 

wisest and best of us, who would presume to offer tb 

thoughts, are far your inferiors. It is true, indeed, tl 

a great misfortune is apt to weaken the mind, and disti 

the understanding. This, indeed, might be some ( 

tence to us to administer our consolations, if we had b 

wholly strangers to the person gone. But, my 1< 

whoever had the honour to know her, wants a comf 

er as much as your lordship ; because, though their 1 

is not so great, yet they have not the same firmness i 

prudence, to support the want of a friend, a patrone^ 

benefactor, as you have to support that of a daugb 

My lord, both religion and reason forbid me to have 

least concern for that lady's death, upon her own 

count; and he must be an ill christian, or a pei 

stranger to her virtues, who would not wish himself i 

all submission to God Almighty's will, in her condit 

But your lordship, who has lost such a daughter, 

we, who have lost such a friend, and the world, wl 

lias lost such an example, have, in our several degi 

greater cause to lament, than, perhaps, was ever gi 

by any private person befwe : for, my lord, I bav< 

down to think of every amiable quality that could e 

* The marchioness was married Nov. 13, 1712; brought to b 
a 80D (afterward Ddkeof Lced^O Nor. 6, 1713; anit died No 
a^28. N. 



DOCTOR SWIFT. M^ 

into the compontion of a lady, aod could not single out 
^ne, which she did not possess in as high a perfection as 
human nature is capable of. But as to your lordship's 
own particular, as it is an inconceivable misfortune to 
have lost such a daughter, so it is a possession which few 
can boast of, to have had such a daughter. I have often 
said to your lordship, " That I never knew any one by 
many degrees so happy in their domestics as you ;'* and 
I affirm you are so still, though not by so many degrees : 
from whence it is very obvious, that your lordship should 
reflect upon what you have left, and not upon what yo« 
have lost. 

To say the truth, my Icnrd, you began to be too hap- 
py for a mortal ; much more happy than is usual with 
the dispensations of Providence long to continue. ' Yoa 
had been the great instrument of {Nreserving your coun- 
try from foreign and domestic ruin : you have had the 
felicity of establishing your family in the greatest lustre^ 
without any obligation to the bounty of your prince, or 
any industry of your own.: you have triumphed over 
the violence and treachery of your enemies^ by your 
courage and abilities : and by the steadiness of your 
temper, over the inconstancy and caprice of your friends. 
4 Perhaps your lordship has felt too much complacency 
within yourself upon this universal success : and God 
Almighty, who would not disappoint your endeavours for 
the public, thought fit to punish you with a domestic 
loss, where he knew your heart was most ejqKMsed ; and 
at the same time, has fulfilled his own wise purposes, hy 
rewarding in a better life, that excellent creature he haa 
taken from you. 

I know not, wf brd, why X wxfte this to you, nor 
hardly what I am writing. I am sure, it is not from any 
compliance with form ; it is not from thinking that I 
can give your lordship any ease, V ^ioSa^Nx^vi^ "vs^ 



Mt LETTERS TO AND FROM 

impukie upoo me that I should say somethiog: zdA 
whether I shall send jou what I have written, I am yet 
in doubt, &c.* 

* This consolatory epistle h&s been said to be ** the finest, perhap«|. 
tibt ercr wgs writteB.*' See the Aanual Ref ister for 1786. N. 



p, i. TAN WINtLX, PSIlfTS», 

^WaUT-strtti^ New- York. 



i 



THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 
RBFBRENCB DEPARTMENT 



rUi book ii under no oir 

taken from the Baildinl 




1